ARTISTS INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION
The Artists' International Association was an exhibiting society formed in 1932 by a number of left-wings artists and writers, originally it was Artists' International, but it added the word Association to its name when it was reconstituted in 1935 when they nailed their radical politics to the mast with an exhibition entitled Artists Against Fascism and War. Most of the group's early exhibitions were held at galleries in the Soho area of London, such as Charlotte Street, Frith Street and Soho Square. Its inaugural exhibition was entitled 'The Social Scene'. In 1940 it published a series of lithographs known as 'Everyman Prints' in large and consequently low-priced editions. By the end of World War II, membership numbered over a thousand and in 1947 a gallery, founded by Claude Rogers was established at 15 Lisle Street, Soho, London which flourished until the lease expired in 1971. In 1953 a new constitution abandoned its left-wing commitment, and it continued solely as an exhibiting society. Edward Bawden designed a business card for the AIA and its membership included Clifford Rowe, brothers Ronald and Percy Horton, Peggy Angus, Pearl Binder, James Boswell, Edward Ardizzone, Hans Feibusch and Misha Black the first Chairman..
Note: The Artists' International Association can be confused with the International Artists' Association which was established in 1952 and was an affiliated organization of Unesco.