Interviews
Highlights from AAH Oral Histories
AAH Oral Histories began by investigating the origins of the Association of Art Historians in the early 1970s. As the project evolved it became clear that the accounts being recorded could offer a much wider commentary on the changing nature of higher education, and the arts and cultural fields in Britain since World War II.
The excerpts published on this website are taken from this series of oral history recordings which vary in length from 1-5 hours, and were undertaken by Liz Bruchet between 2009 and 2011. The complete recordings are available to researchers through the Archive of Art and Design. The excerpts below have been edited for continuity and the transcripts are verbatim, with minor edits to ease legibility.
These accounts are by their nature subjective and open-ended, shaped by the particular setting and the qualities of the encounter between the interviewer and interviewee. As such they should be considered as primary source material. Opinions expressed in these interviews are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Association of Art Historians.
To listen, click on a photo below or follow the links on the right hand side.
Francis Ames-Lewis, Honorary Treasurer 1976-82
Charles Avery, Honorary Secretary 1976-79
Alan Bowness, AAH Steering Committee Member & Honorary Secretary 1974-1976
Andrew Causey, AAH Executive Committee Member & Editor of Bulletin 1974-1977
Pamela Courtney, AAH Director of Publicity and Marketing 1980-91 & founder of the Art History Bookfair
Luke Herrmann, AAH Life Member since 1975
Martin Kemp, Chair of the AAH 1989-1992
John Onians, founding editor 'Art History' 1978-88
Marcia Pointon, Chair of the AAH 1986-89 & Editor of 'Art History' 1993-97
Edwina Sassoon, 1975 AAH Conference Co-organiser
John Steer Chair of the AAH 1980-83
Flavia Swann, AAH Executive Committee Member 1977-80 & Editor of Bulletin 1980-87
Lisa Tickner, AAH Executive Committee Member 1979-83
Evelyn Welch, Chair of the AAH 2007-2011
John White, AAH Steering Committee 1973-74, Executive Committee Member 1974-76 & Chair of the AAH 1976 to 1980.
Alison Yarrington, Chair of the AAH 2011-2014
