Milein Cosman Exhibition at HSoA

‘Being and Being Inspired’
Milein Cosman Exhibition

Foreward by Isabel H Langtry,
Principal Hampstead School of Art

Remarkable lives are made so because they move us. Milein Cosman embraced so much of what makes Hampstead School of Art the community-minded Charity that it is. I met Milein, who was a long-time resident of Hampstead, eight years ago when I was invited via Julian Hogg to join her for tea. This was a delightful meeting - including homemade cake, during which she told me about meeting Henry Moore, who was the lifelong Patron of HSoA (then called Hampstead Artists Council), Francis Bacon and so many Hampstead artists whom she was inspired to draw. We met on several other occasions, each time the richness of her life stories and ways of working have since become art school legend. We are proud to own many beautifully illustrated books which display Milein’s drawings and prints of musicians, dancers, composers, as well as Milein’s equally extraordinary husband, the musician, writer, broadcaster and teacher Hans Keller; these books are much borrowed from the art school library.

We are delighted to have inherited Milein’s painting easel and palette - on display in the entrance foyer – and many still life objects which inspire our everyday art school life.

I am delighted that an exhibition to celebrate the centenary of Milein Cosman’s life and work, displaying a range of her drawings, prints, illustrated books, sketch books, and a bust of her husband is included.

When Milein sadly died, The Cosman Keller Art and Music Trust continued its relationship with the art school. The Trust’s support has been crucial to the Charity over the Covid years and it is wonderful to have such a close connection with Milein’s representatives, with whom we have exciting plans for the future. Milein lives through us all.