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Home , Harry Thubron, Leeds Art Gallery, Lotherton Hall

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE ART FUND

SUPPORTING LEEDS ART GALLERIES SINCE 1912

NEW SERIES ISSUE 15 ACQUISITIONS, COLLECTIONS, SPRING 2020 REVIEWS AND EVENTS

Members viewing Dual Form by on a tour of the www.leedsartfund.org Leeds University art trail in November last year. See report inside. RECENT ACQUISITIONS VISITS

NOTTINGHAM CONTEMPORARY ART WALK 23 October 2019 5 November 2019 (see Cover) Corinne Miller writes: Led by Layla Bloom, Curator of the Stanley and Audrey Burton Gallery at Leeds University, This remarkable gallery designed by Caruso the group braved the rain for a tour of the St John opened its doors in 2009. It fills an public sculptures on campus. We saw the latest awkward city centre space on a steep slope. The commission, Converse Column by Liliane Lijn façade is particularly striking with vertical gold as well as older works such as The Dreamer by struts interspersed with panels enlivened with Quentin Bell who was Professor of Fine Art at patterns taken from traditional Nottingham lace. the University in the 1960s. Inside the exhibition, Still Undead: Popular With Layla’s guidance things that we might have Culture in Britain beyond the Bauhaus, was missed were pointed out, works such as Mitzi part of an international programme to mark Cunliffe’s, Man-Made Fibres, sited high up on the centenary of this influential art and design the Man-Made Fibres Building and the subtle, school. We were delighted to see Leeds engraved vegetation at the top of A Spire by represented through the work of Harry Thubron Simon Fujiwara. who introduced the basic design course, based on Bauhaus principles at Leeds College of Art. It was good to see the recently-conserved bronze, Dual Form by Barbara Hepworth I was also struck by a photograph of a haircut by which was purchased by the LAF in 1967 and a young Vidal Sassoon creating planes of light PORTRAIT MINIATURE OF ANN is currently on loan to the University (see Arts and shade (I used to have my hair cut at the Calendar, no.13 and Cover of this issue). RAPER (1793-1857) Vidal Sassoon school in the 1970s!). Immersive By Emma Smith (1783-1853) spaces with video and slide shows showed how We moved inside to the Stanley and Audrey Watercolour on ivory c.1803 wild Bauhaus parties involving performance Burton Gallery where Jill Winder, from the Purchased by the Leeds Art Fund and presented costumes and music inspired new approaches to University’s special collections team, provided to Leeds Museums and Galleries for display at art practice. members with a fascinating overview of the collection of international textiles, which On the return journey we stopped off at the started life as a teaching collection for the David Mellor Centre in Derbyshire for tea Ann was the daughter of John Raper and lived College. and displays of contemporary design. I was at Lotherton. After her father’s death the house interested to learn more about Mellor’s input It was another day which showed us the riches and estate were sold, the purchaser being into the urban landscape, in the design of public on our doorstep. Richard Oliver Gascoigne whose descendant, Sir seating, litter bins and traffic lights. These trips Alvary Gascoigne gave it to the in are great - you always learn something! 1968. The painting is a significant discovery as it is the first portrait to emerge of a Lotherton resident from the pre-Gascoigne era. IN MEMORIAM The artist, Emma Smith worked in the same studio as her father, John Raphael Smith who was a renowned engraver. It is likely Patrick was a discerning collector of eighteenth that the miniature dates from the time when PATRICK WALKER OBE (1931– 2019) century furniture, English watercolours, English John Raphael painted the Lord Mayor of York, eighteenth century glass, French terracottas and Thomas Hartley, along with Ann Raper’s great Venetian drawings. uncle, Henry Raper, in 1803. In the following Many arts organisations benefited from his year it was exhibited at the Royal Academy in business acumen and personal connections and London. Emma Smith’s career was not a long to each he was a most loyal and committed one and seems to have petered out under patron. It was his support that allowed Leeds to the pressure of marriage and children in the publish catalogues of its watercolour collection following decade. in the 1990s. More recently, in 2018, he and his wife Mavis provided personal sponsorship for the catalogue of the big Tercentenary Chippendale exhibition. The death of Patrick Walker, our Vice President Great art needs great champions and, as James for over twenty five years, is a great loss to the Lomax writes, ‘the great thing about Patrick and LAF. Patrick was a passionate collector, a most Mavis’s enthusiasm for works of art was that generous benefactor and supporter of the they wanted to share it with others’. Leeds Art Fund as well as a kind and supportive mentor to staff. As Chairman of Watmough’s, Image: Patrick Walker with his wife Mavis he turned the printing firm into an international business, with newspaper supplements, Christies catalogues and Hello magazine in its portfolio. EXHIBITIONS

INSPIRATION TO GENIUS PALOMA VARGA WEISZ: Lotherton Hall BUMPED BODY 1 March - 18 October Institute Florence Nightingale, the famous nurse and 13 March – 28 June hospital reformer was born two hundred years Paloma Varga Weisz: Bumped Body introduces ago, on 12 May. She worked closely with Sir the enchanting figurative sculpture of Paloma Douglas Galton, the father of Gwendolen Varga Weisz in the artist’s first solo exhibition Gascoigne (d.1949) who was her cousin and in the UK. She was born in Mannheim 1966 and the lady of the house at Lotherton. Together lives and works in Düsseldorf. Using traditional Florence and Sir Douglas helped to design the techniques of woodcarving and ceramics, her Leeds General Infirmary. A display of newly- sculptures tackle a number of contemporary discovered Nightingale family objects will be concerns by creating a symbolic universe with on view, including letters, paintings, jewellery, a cast of characters that are both alluring and books, furniture and dresses. Inspiration to unsettling. Based on her personal life and Genius has been co-curated by the local experiences in a domestic, family situation, community and tells the story of how Florence, her work raises questions about identity and through her faith and family connections, rose feminism, such as historical stereotyping, the to influence and encourage people from many objectification of the female body, creativity nations. Visitors will also be directed to Leeds and motherhood. General Infirmary where another exhibition will include Nightingale/Galton correspondence Delivered in partnership with Bonnefantenmuseum, Maastricht, Bumped Body Florence Nightingale with her cousin Laura with the surgeons of Leeds, discussing the Nicholson in the drawing room of her childhood design for the maternity wing of the LGI. continues a strand in the Henry Moore Institute’s home, Embley Park, Hampshire. Watercolour by programme that presents important sculptors of her sister Parthenope, 1834. Wingfield archive, Lotherton Hall is one of the 200 Objects, Places today whose work is yet to have full exposure in Lotherton Hall. and people included on the Nightingale 2020 the UK. The exhibition will be accompanied by website www.florence-nightingale.co.uk a rich series of talks, lectures and debates. For further details, see the Henry Moore Foundation website www.henry-moore.org

NEWS EVENT PREVIEW

CHANGES IN THE LAF THE EDITH LILL BEQUEST PROMOTING THE LAF EVENTS TEAM The Fund has received a generous bequest - LUNCHTIME TALKS As advertised in the last issue of the Arts from the estate of Edith Mary Lill. Edith was These talks celebrate the role of the LAF in Calendar, Sue Page is stepping down as born in Hemsworth, and studied at creating one of this country’s stellar public art Hon. Events Coordinator after a magnificent Sheffield University. She worked for most of collections. Member, Sue Bourne writes of our period in office which has seen the events her professional life for the Inner Education first talk... programme grow and flourish. We are Authority based at County Hall, London. I grabbed a handful of the LAF Newsletters, delighted that Olivia Stross, an independent On retirement, some twenty years ago, she and went off to find specialist curator Ann visual arts consultant and former manager at returned to live in Hemsworth. Sumner in the Sculpture Gallery in front of Arts Council , who organised events Her bequest of £125,000 to Leeds Art Fund is Phira, 1965, by Barbara Hepworth. We were for the Yorkshire branch of the Art Fund, has for the acquisition and restoration of paintings. treated to a wonderful short talk, including agreed to join the team. She will work with It was made in June of last year at the discretion background on Hepworth, and how she Sue Bourne, and the group consisting of James of her executors, in view of her lifelong love of managed to obtain a huge shipload of the Lomax, Corinne Miller and Sarah Nichols to art and visiting galleries. We are most grateful scented Guarea wood, from which her curvy, plan and manage the events programme. We to them. shiny piece was carved. Ann outlined the role are also delighted – not to say relieved - that of the LAF in acquiring this major work. Sue Page has offered to contribute to the group to ensure a smooth transition. The next lunchtime talk at is on 27 February at 1.10pm when Corinne Miller If you have any ideas for visits, please let one will talk about Chicago Black by Alexander of the group know. Calder. Purchased by the LAF, this is the only work by the US sculptor in a collection outside London. FUTURE EVENTS

ALL THAT GLISTERS: team about the project, funded by the installation which will evolve over time TABLEY HOUSE AND ARLEY HALL JAMES WALKER OXLEY National Archives, to document the by Phoebe Cummings, winner of the Wednesday 15 July Wednesday 26 February, 2–4pm Bequest. Read’s papers inaugural Woman’s Hour Craft Prize. are of national importance Henry Moore Institute Seminar Room documenting the many facets of his career and chart the development of British Modernism through his friendships with Moore, Hepworth and other artists of the period.

In association with the Friends of University Arts and Music (Leeds)

£10 Installation by Phoebe Cummings Tabley House PRIVATE VIEW OF SARA £62 to include transport and lunch BARKER EXHIBITION (£50 NT and National Art Pass holders) Tabley is the finest Palladian house in Cheshire and was designed by John Monday 20 April, 2–4pm BRING A FRIEND Carr of York. Highlights of the Leicester Leeds Art Gallery SERVING ACROSS BORDERS: family collection include works by Turner, Lawrence, and Reynolds, and INTERNATIONAL TENNIS ART furniture by great British makers such as – LECTURE Gillow, Bullock, and Chippendale. Thursday 21 May, 7pm Neresheimer Mermaid Dish c.1900 A short distance away is Arley Hall (a Wheatley Arms, Wheatley Lane, location for Peaky Blinders!). This family James Lomax provides an account of Ben Rhydding, LS29 8PP Oxley of Spenfield (1834 – 1928), the owned house has interesting nineteenth Leeds banker, artist, photographer Professor Ann Sumner has researched century interiors and fine gardens. and collector whose major bequest this subject extensively for a touring £63 to include coach travel and lunch to Leeds in 1948 was one of the most exhibition and an article in a new book significant in the immediate post Wild Nature by Sara Barker, 2018 (photo Max Slaven) on the subject. Please bring a friend war period. Followed by a tour of his who might be interested in joining collection on display in the Museum. Principal Keeper, Sarah Brown provides Leeds Art Fund, and contributing to the For further details and how an insight in to the work of this valuable work we do for the galleries to book for any of these £5 (non members £7.50) nationally acclaimed artist, whose of Leeds. work is currently under consideration events please see the separate LUNCHTIME TALK for the collection. £5 leaflet or visit our website – CHICAGO BLACK www.leedsartfund.org £10 to include refreshments Sponsored by Hartleys Auctioneers Thursday 27 February, 1.10pm Leeds Art Gallery WIGHTWICK MANOR AND VISIT TO CAMBRIDGE 9 and 10 June Corinne Miller talks about this ground WOLVERHAMPTON ART GALLERY breaking acquisition by the Leeds Art Wednesday 29 April Visits to the Fitzwilliam Museum the Fund. It was one of the first works by Heong Gallery, Kettle’s Yard and New the noted American sculptor, Alexander Hall Art Collection (the largest collection Calder, to enter a British collection and of women’s art outside the US). remains the only example of his work outside the Gallery, in this country. To include coach travel, accommodation entrance fees and Free dinner bed and breakfast at Madingley Hall (see separate leaflet for details) THREE PIECE RECLINING FIGURE NO2: BRIDGE PROP 1963 BY ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HENRY MOORE - IN CONTEXT AND LECTURE Wednesday 11 March, 2–4pm Monday 13 July Leeds University House

The Drawing Room at Wightwick Manor The AGM is our chance to hear reports from the LAF officers and ask questions. Wightwick, the home of the Mander AGM 11am; Lunch 1pm; Lecture 2pm family who made their money as paint manufacturers, is a remarkable Arts and LECTURE by Professor Ann Sumner Crafts building, which remains largely Mitzi Cunliffe true to the vision of Sir Geoffrey and his second wife Lady Rosalie. They Cunliffe designed the sculpture for collected Pre Raphaelite drawings, the façade of the Man-Made Fibre which together with a recent gift of building (now the Clothworkers little known early Rossetti studies, are Building South) at Leeds University, which was unveiled in 1956. Ann Three Piece Reclining Figure No2: Bridge Prop 1963 by on show in the house. Henry Moore courtesy Henry Moore Foundation will share her research in to the life Wolverhampton Art Gallery is noted for and work of this fascinating woman, Meet at the Parkinson Building for a its holdings of British Pop Art and works whose contribution to British Art is talk about this major bronze by Moore, relating to the Troubles in Northern currently being re-evaluated. which is currently on loan to the Ireland. Introduction by Marguerite Admission to the AGM is free University from the Leeds Art Fund. Nugent, and a chance to view the exhibition, Victoria and Albert: Our (members only) optional lunch and This will be followed by a session with lecture £30; lecture only £5 (non Leeds Art Fund is a Charitable Lives in Watercolour on loan from the Incorporated Organisation, registered Ruth Burton from the Special Collection members £7.50) Royal Collection as well as a ceramic number 1171891