Zika Ascher

Who is Zika Ascher?

Zika Ascher was a Czech emigre in London during World War II, who became pre-eminent in the related fields of British textiles, art, and fashion. A 264 page book about his work, and that of his wife Lida Ascher, was written by Valerie Mendes and published by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, to coincide with a 1987 retrospective exhibition of the Aschers' work. The title 'Ascher: Fabric, Art, Fashion', describes the breadth of their achievements in these three related fields. V&A Museum Article Three photographic portraits of Zika Ascher are held in the collection at the National Portrait Gallery in London; two by John Gay and a third by Francis Goodman.

The Victoria and Albert Museum is custodian of one of the worlds finest fabric collections. A substantial number of Ascher textiles designed by the British artist Henry Moore are held in the V&A collection. The designs were commissioned by Zika Ascher from 1944–1946. The first collection of Henry Moore textiles printed by Ascher was introduced at the Dorchester Hotel in London in May 1945. Guardian article.

The Henry Moore Foundation published a book by Anita Feldman and Sue Pritchard in 2009, entitled 'Henry Moore Textiles', which contains extensive references and examples of Ascher textiles designed by Henry Moore. The book was published to coincide with an exhibition at the Henry Moore Foundation in 2008, which later went on tour. The book was published by Lund Humphries, a leading publisher on British Art. Lund Humphries article