Sophie Ashdown

The annual exhibition of the New Constructivists took place at Chelsea Old Town Hall from 27 April to 10 May 2026. The exhibition brought together a wide range of contemporary Constructivist-inspired work and was a reminder of how relevant geometric abstraction and Constructivist ideas still feel today.

The preview evening on 29 April was very well attended and had a really warm atmosphere. It was lovely to see artists, friends, supporters, and visitors all coming together around the work and the group itself.

This year’s exhibition was dedicated to Vladimir, who sadly passed away on 29 March 2026. As founder of the New Constructivists, he dedicated so much of his life to promoting the Constructivist aesthetic and supporting other artists. His loss is deeply felt by the group.

During the evening, some of Vladimir Dirsh’s oldest friends gave speeches about him and shared memories from over the years. It was incredibly moving and brought tears to many people in the room, including myself.

There was also a strong feeling throughout the exhibition that the group should continue in his honour. We intend to keep the New Constructivists going and to continue promoting the Constructivist aesthetic that Vladimir cared so passionately about.

For me personally, being part of the exhibition felt especially meaningful as my own practice increasingly explores geometry, systems, and weaving Constructivist aesthetics into my data-based art.