Press Release

The Museum of Art 4 February – 17 April 2017

Towner Art Gallery is delighted to present The Museum of Art, a display of over one hundred works from Towner’s acclaimed Collection. Inspired by the eclectic collections amassed by 19th century collectors, The Museum of Art uses works from the Towner Collection to playfully reflect the mood and character of a Victorian museum.

With themes ranging from Classical Nudes to Seascapes and from Oriental works to Animals and Birds, the installation juxtaposes seemingly disconnected paintings and brings together diverse clusters of sculptures in crowded cases. These unexpected arrangements allude to hidden connections and inspire the viewer to invent their own histories for the works. This exhibition explores the stories and motivation behind some of the gifts from art collectors that have been bequeathed to the Towner Collection.

The display will include the original Towner Bequest of 22 paintings left to the people of by Alderman John Chisholm Towner as well as works by Henry Moore, Victor Pasmore, Christopher Wood and Grayson Perry.

The Museum of Art is accompanied by a diverse programme of events for all ages, many of which will take place within the gallery itself allowing visitors to get up close and personal with the Collection within the setting of the exhibition. The internationally acclaimed Towner Collection contains more than 4,500 works and is best known for its modern British art – including the broadest and most significant body of work by Eric Ravilious (1903- 1942).

The Towner Collection began with the Towner bequest in 1920 which included Victorian paintings of landscapes, animals and children by popular artists of the day –including Henry Dawson, Thomas Sydney Cooper and William Strutt.

From 1920 through to the present day, generous individuals, collectors and artists, as well as the Friends of the Towner, have donated works to the Towner Collection and it now features a cross-section of important 20th century British artists including Christopher Wood, , Henry Moore, Paul Nash, Victor Pasmore, Alfred Wallis and Duncan Grant.

It is also known for its emerging collection of international contemporary art, and a particular focus on Moving Image works. Contemporary artists represented in the Towner Collection include Olafur Eliasson, Wolfgang Tillmans, Anya Gallaccio, Julian Opie, Isaac Julien, Omer Fast, Tacita Dean and Grayson Perry.

For further information about the exhibition including images and interview requests please contact Emma Haggerty on [email protected] or +44(0)1323 434681

@TownerGallery #TownerMOA

Notes To Editors

The Museum of Art, 4 February – 17 April 2017. Towner Art Gallery, Devonshire Park, College Road, Eastbourne BN21 4JJ. Open Tuesday – Sunday, 10:00am – 5:00pm and Bank Holiday Mondays, 10:00am – 5:00pm. Admission free. www.townereastbourne.org.uk

Associated Events

Collector’s Corner Fridays 24 February, 31 March & 14 April/ 2-3pm / Free Each month we invite a different collector to share their collection in the gallery.

Collection Care Tuesdays 28 February & 28 March/2-3pm/Free/Booking recommended Join conservator Corrine Farmer for a practical introduction to the care and preservation of objects.

A History of Towner in Ten Objects Thursday 2 March/ 2pm/ Free Assistant Curator Tom Laver tells the story of Towner through ten objects.

Art in Your Hands Wednesdays 15 February, 5 & 12 April/ 10.30 – 11am/ Free/ 5 years +/ Booking recommended A unique opportunity for families to handle objects from the Towner Collection.

Displaying Dinosaurs and Collecting Curiosities Wednesdays 15 February, 5 & 12 April/ 11am – 12.30pm/ Free/ 5 – 16 year olds/ Booking recommended Artist-led workshops in response to the exhibition.

A History of Towner in Ten Objects Thursdays 16 February & 6 April/ 2-2.30pm/ Free/ Families Discover curious facts about Towner’s artworks with the learning team in these family workshops.

Towner Art Gallery

Founded as an art gallery for the people, Towner Art Gallery presents exhibitions of national and international importance to audiences across the UK and beyond. Showcasing the most exciting developments in modern and contemporary art, Towner develops and supports artistic practice, and provides a place for experiencing, creating and discussing art and culture. The gallery welcomes over 140,000 visitors a year and collaborates with individuals, communities and organisations to deliver an inclusive and accessible associated public programme and learning offer. Their acclaimed Collection of 4500 works is best known for its modern British art – including the largest and most significant body of work by Eric Ravilious (1903-1942) – and a growing collection of international contemporary art. In 2014, Towner became an independent charitable Trust, supported by a Board of Trustees, chaired by David Dimbleby. Towner is supported by Eastbourne Borough Council and Arts Council through its National Portfolio Programme. www.townereastbourne.org.uk

Image: Giovanni Battista Lombardi, The Veiled Lady, 1869. Towner Collection