In my role as Legacies Officer I encounter many interesting people who have chosen to support the V&A with a bequest, but, sadly, I don’t always get the opportunity to meet them. Derek Woodman supported the V&A for many years as an enthusiastic visitor and Member of the museum and, unbeknown to us, had also remembered the V&A in his Will. When he died in 2017, we were touch to learn that he had left a very generous donation to the museum. Through discussion with his family and partner, David Monkhouse, we allocated this bequest to two projects in need of funding: the acquisition of the remarkable Mae West ‘Lips’ sofa, and the new Photography Centre, which opened in mid-October.
I asked David if he would tell us a little more about Derek – and found out why he and David decided to leave a legacy to the V&A, what Derek enjoyed about the Museum and why he avoided the tapestry gallery at all costs…
Thank you so much for speaking with us. Could you tell us a little bit about your and Derek’s shared love of art and design?
I first met Derek casually in Brighton in about 1976 – we have known each other for 41 or so years. I was always interested in Fine Art and even went to art evening classes. Derek was more interested in Design and Photography.
What did you most enjoy together about the V&A?
We were always interested in the museums in South Kensington, but enjoyed wandering through the galleries of the V&A and happening upon interesting exhibits. On one memorable occasion we entered the Tapestry Gallery and immediately Derek was overcome by an allergic reaction and hastily exited, we had always known that for some reason he was allergic to old buildings and things. However, he was always interested in modern design and ceramics while I enjoyed the Fashion and the Silver galleries. More recently I was so impressed by the Jewellery Gallery, in which modern lighting has resulted in such a striking presentation.
Why did you think it was important to remember the V&A in your Wills?
Some time ago we were discussing Wills and who would benefit, and I suggested that since we had always enjoyed visiting the museum it would be appropriate for us to make bequests, never considering that in the natural order of things that Derek would pre-decease me.
We’re so grateful to you both. As you know, Derek’s bequest has been allocated to projects that were recently in need of funding: the acquisition of a Mae West Lips Sofa and our new Photography Centre. Do you think he would have been pleased with how the museum has used his gift?
I was delighted and so were the executors, his brother and nephew, that the bequest went towards purchasing the Mae West ‘Lips’ sofa, not least of all because we had seen another version in an Art Deco exhibition at Brighton Museum and Art Gallery, where Derek also had membership.
On top of that, Derek’s family were given renewed interest in the Museum and so appreciated the attention given to the bequest by saying that you were the only charity from whom they had received such gratifying acceptance. Recently they paid a visit and described it as fascinating. I would always encourage people to donate to the Museum, as the collection is so captivating.
Thank you so much, David. We hope to see you in the Museum soon.
