Ethelwynne M. Quail: The Kingdom of the Gods

The first exhibition devoted to Ethelwynne M. Quail's paintings and drawings, exploring her visionary depictions of devas and her unique contribution to twentieth-century esoteric art. About Ethelwynne M. Quail (1903–1947) was a South African artist and sculptor associated with the Theosophical movement. Working across sculpture, drawing, painting and writing, she dedicated her life's work to exploring realities beyond ordinary perception. Entirely self-taught, she developed a distinctive visual language inspired by nature, mythology and esoteric philosophy, seeking to make visible the forces she believed shaped the natural world. This exhibition is the first public presentation devoted to Quail's original paintings and drawings. At its centre are her depictions of devas: luminous non-human intelligences associated in Theosophical thought with the living energies of nature. Developed through her collaboration with the clairvoyant and writer Geoffrey Hodson (1886-1983) during the 1930s and later published in his book The Kingdom of the Gods , these works reveal Quail's distinctive artistic vision, demonstrating how she transformed esoteric ideas into an original visual language of her own. While Quail's sculptures were exhibited in Britain during the 1920s, including at the Royal Academy and the Walker Art Gallery, her paintings and drawings have remained largely unseen. Bringing together more than twenty paintings and drawings alongside archival materials, photographs and personal correspondence, the exhibition offers a rare opportunity to encounter Quail's work in depth, inviting a reconsideration of her place within the history of twentieth-century esoteric art. -- Curated by Simon Grant and Jacqui McIntosh (Curator and Archivist, The College of Psychic Studies). The College and the curators gratefully acknowledge the generous support and collaboration of the family and Estate of Ethelwynne M. Quail. This exhibition coincides with The Etheric Field , a group exhibition curated by Jacqui McIntosh featuring works by Gabriella Boyd, Vanessa da Silva, Mila Nowacka and Aleksandra Ionowa. Read more Toggle Drawing Painting