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The British Red Cross is thrilled to announce a four-day London exhibition of Britain’s trailblazing female war artist, Doris Zinkeisen (1897–1991), to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. The free public exhibition will take place at the Oxo Tower in Southwark, central London between May 8 and May 11.
The ‘Brushstrokes from the Front Lines’ exhibition shines a light on the extraordinary life and art of the renowned painter. The collection on display includes several original paintings by Doris Zinkeisen – now unveiled to the public for the first time in decades.
Doris Zinkeisen was a pioneering artist, widely recognised for her realist painting style and striking society portraits. From the 1920s to the 1950s, she was one of Britain’s most influential artists, breaking barriers in a male-dominated art scene.
Zinkeisen’s evocative works stand as a powerful testament to women’s vital role in documenting and interpreting war. She was commissioned by the British Red Cross and Order of St John to record their work and what she saw for the British public, highlighting the realities of war before TV cameras and 24-hour news coverage.
She was one of the first artists to enter the infamous Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in northern Germany after its liberation on 15 of April 1945.
Her paintings not only captured the relief work the Joint War Organisation of the British Red Cross and Order of St John carried out close to the front line in Europe, but also revealed the disturbing death, sickness and suffering of those in captivity, serving as a vital historical record.
Béatrice Butsana-Sita, Chief Executive Officer of the British Red Cross, said:
“The British Red Cross is proud to showcase the work of gifted artist and dedicated humanitarian Doris Zinkeisen in a brand-new exhibition to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day. The exhibition not only honours her artistic achievements but reflects the unwavering commitment of countless volunteers – like Doris who was a British Red Cross and St John Ambulance Brigade volunteer nurse – during the Second World War.
“I am inspired every time I learn about the people who have played an important part in our history. Doris’ work is a powerful reminder of how art can capture history and the power of humanity.”
Charlotte Johnstone, granddaughter of Doris Zinkeisen, said:
“Doris, our grandmother, was a huge presence and influence in our lives. She was a courageous, loving, funny and formidable character in equal measure. She was a trailblazer. She showed an unbelievable drive, a zest for life, clarity of thought and courage in a male dominated world and a point in history that was beyond challenging for most. She was a creative force through and through.”
Key details:
Dates: 8 May 2025 to 11 May 2025
Opening Hours: 11am - 6pm daily
Admissions: Free
Curator: Mehzebin Adam-Suter
Address: gallery@oxo, Oxo Tower Wharf, Barge House Street, London, SE1 9PH
Original paintings highlights:
The original artworks include four large oil paintings owned by the British Red Cross Museum and Archives such as Doris Zinkeisen’s famous depiction of the burning of Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in May 1945, and six watercolour paintings owned by the Museum of the Order of St John.
The oil paintings have been briefly exhibited just once before – in the late 80s – while the watercolour paintings have been exhibited once in the 1990s – making the four-day window this May a rare opportunity to see these historical artworks previously hidden in museum archives for decades.