In 1936, Geoffrey and Olive Holland relocated to their newly built house near Reigate in Surrey. It gained recognition in Pevsner’s county guide as “much less gauche than most 1930s houses.” However, their residence, named Peverel, was more daring than the guide implied. It housed a collection of avant-garde art, including works by renowned artists like John Piper and John Minton. This demonstrated the Hollands’ courage in embracing unconventional artistic expression. Their daughter, Angela, would later open a gallery in London, carrying forward the legacy of fearlessly collecting art.
Angela Flowers, who passed away at the age of 90, was never short on courage. In 1970, after working as a bookkeeper at the Institute of Contemporary Arts, she took over a small space above the Artists International Association gallery in London. Despite initial opposition and conflict, her gallery quickly flourished. The Angela Flowers Gallery relocated several times before establishing itself as a prominent fixture in the London art scene.
Flowers had a diverse background that did not initially indicate her future as a gallerist. Born in Croydon, she grew up during World War II, with her father and mother serving their country while she attended boarding school. Following her education, Angela pursued acting before meeting photographer Adrian Flowers in 1952. They married and started a family together, eventually birthing the Angela Flowers Gallery’s first artist, Patrick Hughes.
Unlike other London gallerists, Flowers cultivated long-lasting relationships with her artists. Names like Tom Phillips, Derek Hirst, Bernard Cohen, and Nicola Hicks, among others, remained with her gallery for over three decades. While the Flowers gallery favored living British artists and excluded pre-1952 works, it still garnered success despite being overlooked by influential figures in the avant-garde art world.
Flowers’s discerning eye for art combined with her astute business sense. Programs like the Artist of the Day, offering young unknown artists short exhibitions, exemplified her generosity and calculated approach. When she opened Flowers East in Hackney in 1988, it foreshadowed the neighborhood’s rise as a hub for contemporary art in London.
Flowers faced personal challenges as well, particularly raising her daughter Rachel, who was born with Down’s syndrome. Despite societal expectations at the time, Angela insisted on keeping Rachel at home, establishing a successful career while also caring for her child. Rachel herself became an accomplished artist, although she did not exhibit with her family’s gallery. Angela’s life took a turn when her partner Robert Heller developed Parkinson’s disease, prompting a move to a more manageable home near Henley-on-Thames. There, Angela continued to host memorable parties, displaying her vibrant personality and passion for art.
Angela Flowers will be remembered as an intrepid gallery owner who fearlessly championed British art. Her legacy lives on through her children.
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