ABSTRACT
Lewis’ bitter quarrel with Roger Fry was a critical turning-point in his career. In March 1914 Lewis and Kate Lechmere opened the Rebel Art Centre, an antagonistic splinter from the Omega, at 38 Great Ormond Street, near Queen Square. Lewis felt his artistic pre-eminence, his leadership of the Vorticist painters, his emotional relationship with Lechmere and her support of the Rebel Art Centre were all threatened by Hulme, who had criticized the lack of cohesion and unity in Lewis’ paintings, passionately praised the work of Epstein and Bomberg, swept away Kate Lechmere, and virtually extinguished her emotional and financial interest in Lewis’ life and work. Lewis broke with Lechmere, and the Rebel Art Centre lasted only four months.
