Gas Works

Hellmuth Weissenborn (1898–1982) Painter, Printmaker, Illustrator Born in Leipzig, Germany, Weissenborn was a professor at the Leipzig Academy of Graphic Arts before fleeing Nazi persecution in 1939 due to his marriage to Jewish socialite Edith Halberstam. Interned in the UK during WWII, he continued to create, improvising printing techniques in camp. His post-war work captured the devastation of London during the Blitz and explored themes of exile and resilience. He co-founded the Acorn Press with his second wife, Lesley, producing over 60 illustrated volumes. Weissenborn taught at Ravensbourne College of Art (1943–1970) and was awarded the Grand Cross of Merit by Germany in 1979. His work is held in major UK collections including the British Museum and the V&A.