Fascinating new insights into work of LS Lowry
From Sat 13 February 2010
As part of The Lowry’s 10th anniversary celebrations, the Lowry Favourites exhibition takes a fresh new look at one of Britain’s favourite artists.
New displays bring the Galleries to life with photographs, sound and film, telling visitors more about LS Lowry and his work than ever before. As well as a rich variety of paintings and drawings from the LS Lowry Collection, there are loans from private and public collections around the country.
One of Britain’s greatest artists will also get an endorsement from one of the nation’s greatest actors: Sir Ian Mckellen. In the exhibition the star provides an audio appreciation of Lowry’s classic crowd scenes.
McKellen explains:
“Once you have seen the way Mr Lowry sees the crowd I don’t believe you can ever see a crowd without thinking of him. I think that is the mark of a great painter. He makes you see the world afresh.”
Lowry Favourites explores a wealth of Lowry’s work. There will be a chance to see artwork from his art school years, spanning right through to his later work which features surreal scenes and caricatured figures. The exhibition will incorporate his famous crowd paintings, street scenes, portraits, landscapes and industrial paintings.
Claire Stewart, Curator LS Lowry Collection, commented:
“Lowry’s work is as relevant as it ever was. He was fascinated by the landscape around him and by the people who inhabited it. The new displays will include a series of ‘Paintings in Focus’ which will help to demonstrate the breadth of Lowry’s vision, and his skills as a painter.”
Many iconic Lowry works will be on display, such as Coming from the Mill (1930), Seascape (1943), The Funeral Party (1953), Head of a Man (1938). Football favourite ‘Going to the Match’ (1953) will be hung alongside rare footage of Lowry playing football. Street Scene (1935) arrives in the galleries on loan from Atkinson Art Gallery in Southport. The picture was painted from a drawing of George Street, Pendlebury, in the district's 'Stump Park' near the Acme Mill.
For the first time in years Lowry’s personal items will be on display including his hat, bag and walking stick. There is also the chance to see his paintbrushes, palette knives and a nail he sometimes used to etch his signature onto his paintings.
Michael Simpson, Head of Visual Art and Engagement, explained:
“We’ve listened to what our visitors have been asking for and consequently the new displays will have more of everything – more works on display and more information about Lowry and his subjects. We will also be including film, photographs and sound. Even Lowry’s hat and walking stick will make a welcome return to the displays”.
Posted on Monday, 14 December 2009 under Press Galleries Press