January to April 2016 townereastbourne.org.uk
Contents
Introduction 2 Exhibitions & Events 4 Children & Families 8 Film 10 Workshops / Photography 11 Tours 12 Special Events / Coastal Culture Trail 13
January to April 2016
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Welcome
East Sussex Open 2016
We enjoyed many successes in 2015. Our summer exhibition William Gear: The Painter that Britain Forgot received significant national press coverage before travelling up to the City Art Centre in Edinburgh, where it is on display until 14 February. We are thrilled that our exhibitions are touring across the country and have already secured two national touring partners for our major Ravilious exhibition in 2017. In September it was announced that we are the first partners in the Art Fund’s Moving Image Fund, along with the Whitworth in Manchester. This scheme enables us to purchase artists’ film and video works and we will announce the first acquisition very soon. It’s an incredible opportunity for us to develop this area of our collection and we are grateful to the Art Fund and Thomas Dane Gallery for initiating this scheme. We have recently applied for funding to build a 100-seat auditorium in the ground floor gallery for film screenings, talks and live events. It will be a wonderful addition to Towner and we already have a significant pledge from Eastbourne Arts Circle, who have supported Towner over many years. We will keep you updated on our progress and if you would like to find out more, please email me – emma.morris@ townereastbourne.org.uk We have a packed programme for this season, including one of my favourite projects, the Annual Schools Exhibition. Working with over 40 schools, this exhibition showcases the exceptional talent and creativity of our children and young people and is one not to be missed. I look forward to welcoming you to Towner in 2016.
Applications are now open for East Sussex Open 2016. This exhibition brings together artists and makers from across the East Sussex region – from Rye to Eastbourne to Brighton & Hove. Joining our Head of Exhibitions, Brian Cass, on the 2016 judging panel are guest selectors Jenni Lomax, Director of Camden Arts Centre, London, and artist Melanie Manchot whose solo exhibition will open at Towner on the 16 April 2016.
Emma Morris Executive Director, Towner Art Gallery
Visitor Information 14
Last Chance to See
Front Cover: Nathan Carter JFK TOWER MISSED APPROACH WE’RE IN THE CLOUDS OVER, 2005 © the artist, courtesy the artist and Casey Kaplan, New York
North to South Highlights from Aberdeen Art Gallery and Towner Art Gallery Collections Closes 24 January 2016 John Napier Stages: Beyond the Fourth Wall Closes 31 January 2016
Entry fee £20 Deadline for entry Sun 20 March 4pm Exhibition runs 16 July–18 September 2016 For more information and to download an application pack, see townereastbourne.org.uk/exhibition/east-sussex-open-2016
Exhibitions & Events
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Art from Elsewhere
International Contemporary Art from UK Galleries 23 January – 3 April 2016, Free Associated Events
Art from Elsewhere is an exciting overview of some of the most influential artists working globally today. Bringing together work made in a variety of media that examine ideas of global change, migration, postcolonial experiences and failed utopias, the exhibition features around 50 works by 27 significant international artists. Highlights include works by Yto Barrada, Mohamed Bourouissa, Jenny Holzer, Imran Qureshi and Kara Walker. Curated by David Elliot, this major exhibition of international contemporary art was selected from the collections of Towner and five other museums from across the UK. Elliott said, “I have selected this Hayward Touring exhibition show out of this pool with a mind to indicating how art not only continues to be a truthful and often challenging expression of our times, but also has become a way of seeing them more clearly.” Art from Elsewhere is a Hayward Touring exhibition supported by the Art Fund, the national fundraising charity for art. This exhibition showcases a selection of major international works recently collected by museums throughout the UK with over £4m of support from the Art Fund.
Above: Mohamed Bourouissa, Le reflet, 2007. From the series Périphérique. C-print, 132 x 220 cm. © Mohamed Bourouissa. Courtesy the artist and kamel mennour, Paris
Collecting for the Future Thu 25 Feb / 1pm / Free Sara Cooper, Head of Collections, and Brian Cass, Head of Exhibitions will give a talk about Towner’s Collection and our contemporary acquisitions policy, focusing on themes connected to the exhibition. Curators Walk and Talk Thu 17 March / 1pm / Free Join Brian Cass, Head of Exhibitions, Towner, on an informal tour of the exhibition and a discussion about the different artworks and artists in the show.
Exhibitions & Events
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Annual Schools Exhibition: Walking the Line 24 March – 5 June 2016, Free Our Annual Schools Exhibition emerged from dialogue with teachers six years ago and has grown into one of the largest professional exhibitions of school age students’ work held in the UK Each year, a theme is chosen which relates to our Collection and the participating schools are shown works which relate to the chosen theme. The children take inspiration from the artworks and work collaboratively to create their own responses. This year’s theme is Walking the Line, exploring how drawing and markmaking is the starting point for expressing ourselves. The works which were chosen from our collection which reflect this subject include Sleeping Fawn by Henri Gaudier-Brzeska and L12, 1957 by Hans Hartung. Walking the Line can be interpreted in many different ways - marking a boundary - keeping a balance between two extremes – so expect a wonderfully rich and varied exhibition of the many talents of children and young people from Eastbourne and across the county.
Above: Hans Hartung, L12, 1957, Lithograph, 1957, © Fondation Hartung-Bergman. Towner Collection
Exhibitions & Events
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Recording Britain
Exhibitions & Events
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Ravilious Room
6 February – 2 May 2016, Free
Permanent Display,* Free
Associated Events
At the outbreak of the Second World War an ambitious scheme was set up to employ artists on the home front to record the changing landscape of Britain. Sir Kenneth Clark commissioned artists to paint ‘places and buildings of characteristic national interest’, documenting rural and urban environments and precious buildings under threat, not only from bombs but from the effects of ‘progress’ and development. The result was a collection of more than 1500 watercolours of which 49 are on display in this exhibition. Now held by the Victoria and Albert Museum, Recording Britain features many beautiful watercolours by prolific artists such as John Piper, Kenneth Rowntree and Barbara Jones along with a number of lesser-known contributors. By focusing on quiet corners and local scenes, Recording Britain takes us off the beaten track of iconic British landmarks and postcard images. In addition to works from the original collection, the exhibition will feature a selection of contemporary works including paintings and photographs by Conrad Atkinson, Richard Long, David Nash and Laura Oldfield Ford. Exhibition organised by the Victoria and Albert Museum, London Above left: John Piper, The Tithe Barn, Great Coxwell, Berkshire c.1940, Watercolour, Given by the Pilgrim Trust, © Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Above right: Tony Ray-Jones, Glyndebourne 1967, Gelatin silver print, © Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
V&A Curator’s Talk Sat 12 March / 2pm / £6 / £5 conc. & members Gill Saunders, curator of the V&A display Recording Britain will discuss the origins and aims of this unique project. Viewpoint Last Thurs of the month / 25 Feb / 31 Mar / 28 Apr / 2pm / Free Join a member of the Towner team for an informal discussion focusing on a particular work in the exhibition. Generously supported by Eastbourne Arts Circle
Towner holds one of the largest public collections of works by Sussex artist Eric Ravilious (1903-1942). Our permanent Ravilious Room is a dedicated space to admire a selection of his finest watercolours, explore our unique archive and browse books on the artist. To coincide with the Recording Britain exhibition (from 5 February), this display will focus on Ravilious’ work that records the British landscape, in particular Sussex, at a time when the threat of war was imminent. The painting, Cuckmere Haven, is an example of his foresight to record a familiar Sussex view in the March of 1939 prior to the outbreak of war later that year. This display will also feature war time works that capture military aircraft and barrage balloons and their presence in the British countryside. In 1939 Ravilious was invited to be a war artist for the War Artists Advisory Committee (WAAC), a scheme prompted by Sir Kenneth Clark. It was whilst on a RAF mission that his plane disappeared in Iceland in September 1942 and he was officially declared dead the following year *Advance notice: The Ravilious Room will be closed from 26 Jan – 5 Feb and again from 3 – 13 May.
Supported by Eastbourne Arts Circle Eastbourne Arts Circle Talks These popular talks look at the lives and work of great painters through the ages. For dates, please see their website: eastbourneartscircle.org.uk
Above: Eric Ravilious, Barrage Balloon, 1940.Towner Collection
What’s On
Children & Families Art Bank! with artist Annis Joslin 5-7 years: Thu 18 February / 10.30am12.30pm & 2pm-4pm / £5 8-11 years: Fri 19 February / 10.30am12.30pm & 2pm-4pm / £5
Annis Joslin
Inspired by Meschac Gaba’s Brazilian Bank, 2006, in the Art from Elsewhere exhibition, you’ll be creating a new art currency using Styrofoam, collagraph and mono printing techniques. Add some of your work to a growing public Art Bank installation and watch the wealth of ideas grow. The Art Bank will be added to by the public over several weeks and on the final day the bank will ‘open its doors’ and give everything away!
Right: Building Bridges with Hermione Allsopp
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What’s On
Building Bridges
Recording Eastbourne
Animate Shapes
with Hermione Allsopp Mon 28 March / 10.30am12.30pm & 2pm-4pm / All ages / Free Drop-in Can you build a bridge that will hold itself up, span a distance or take some weight? Take your inspiration from the real bridges depicted in Recording Britain and the metaphorical bridges built by artists in Art from Elsewhere and have fun building your own bridge using a range of materials.
with artist Steven Follen Sat 2 April / 10.30am12.30pm & 2pm-4pm / Families / Free – Book in advance Inspired by Recording Britain, make your mark by helping us build a giant 3D map of Eastbourne. Help map out the town, recording its features, drawing in the places that are important to you, your family and friends. Make 3D card models of the landmarks and show us what makes Eastbourne special for you.
with artist Lindsey Smith Wed 6 April / 10.30am12.30pm & 2pm-4pm / 5-7 years / £5 Bring colours, lines and shapes to life in an ipadmade animation inspired by the work of Robert Breer.
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Animating Landscapes with artist Lynn Weddle Fri 8 April / 10.30am12.30pm & 2pm-4pm / 8-11 years / £5 We’ll be making light box animations with drawings, sketches and words to play with ideas about the natural world, buildings being adapted, knocked down or put up and the changing landscape, recording a new Britain in a fun and playful way.
Tiny Towner Drop-in
Tuesdays / 10.30am12.30pm / 0-5 years / Free drop-in
A welcoming space for under-5s and their parents and carers to play and explore together.
Tiny Towner Workshop Sessions
Thursdays, 14 Jan, 11 Feb & 10 Mar / 10.30am-12pm / 2-5 years / Book in advance / £3 per child Our popular creative sessions are back! Led by staff from Towner, Eastbourne Library and Eastbourne Children’s Centre we’ll be exploring art together.
Family Drop–in
Every Saturday & Sunday term time and during school holidays / Free Free activities for children and families – look out for gallery trails, explorer jackets, drawing activities and things to make in our family art areas.
Above: Animate Shapes with Lindsey Smith
Advance booking recommended for all workshops (except drop-ins). Book online or call 01323 434670. Children attending drop-in & family workshops must be accompanied by an adult. A suggested donation of £1 for free events is always welcome!
What’s On
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Film
Wide Open Cinema. Late bar til 11pm.
Pride & Prejudice: Queer Lives on Film Sat 20 & Sun 21 February A mini-season of LGBT relevant films over one weekend, plus supporting talks and Q&As (and opportunities to let your hair down!). Check our website for additional information. Funded by Film Hub South East with National Lottery Funds distributed by the BFI Film Audience Network (FAN).
Chris and Don: A Love Story Sat 20 February / 2pm / £4 / £3 conc. This 2007 American documentary chronicles the lifelong relationship between author Christopher Isherwood and his much younger lover, artist Don Bachardy, including archival footage shot by the couple from the 1950s, excerpts from Isherwood’s diaries, and playful animations to recount their romance. Love Bites Sat 20 February / 4pm / £4 / £3 conc. A selection of six LGBT short films exploring the theme of Love from the Iris Prize archive. See website for full programme.
Love Bites
Terence Stamp Double Bill: Teorema (with pre-screening talk) Sat 20 February / 6pm / £4 / £3.50 conc. or £7 / £6 conc. for both films Our friends from Eyes Wide Open Cinema, Brighton’s popular LGBT film strand have curated an evening double bill, with Terence Stamp as the leading man. Towner’s top floor bar will be open, so you can make a night of it. The evening starts with Pier Paolo Pasolini’s 1968 art-house classic Teorema, with Stamp as a mysterious and seductive stranger who insinuates himself into the home of a wealthy Italian family. Check website for details of the pre-screening talk. Terence Stamp Double Bill: The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert Sat 20 February / 9pm / £4 / £3.50 conc. or £7 / £6 conc. for both films Terence Stamp plays an ageing transgender woman in Stephan Elliot’s delirious exercise in ultra-camp meets outback macho. Bring your friends… and your feather boa. Presented in partnership with Eyes
Derek Sun 21 February / 11am / £4 / £3 conc. In this moving documentary filmmaker and artist Isaac Julien looks back on the life and work of Derek Jarman, showing how his works continue to influence and resonate with future generations. Both archival and newly recorded interviews are used to shine a light on Jarman’s professional and private life. Call Me Kuchu Sun 21 February / 2pm / £4 / £3 conc. In Uganda, a new bill threatens to make homosexuality punishable by death. David Kato – Uganda’s first openly gay man - and his fellow activists work against the clock to defeat the legislation while combating vicious persecution in their daily lives.
What’s On
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Events Drawn to the Page with Wendy Ann Greenhalgh Sat 30 January / 10-1pm / £30 There’ll be lots of inspiration to be had as you learn about the art on display and develop your own creative responses to what you see, working in prose, poetry or autobiography. We’ll use a combination of group discussions, writing exercises, individual writing time and sharing in a group to get the very most from the gallery experience. Book: newwritingsouth. com/events
Hands-On Conservation Workshop
Fri 4 March / 1pm-4.30pm £30 / £25 members incl. refreshments A great opportunity to work closely with our conservator Corinne Farmer to learn basic conservation techniques. You may bring along a small, paper-based piece of art (optional) to work on as part of this practical workshop. Admission includes midafternoon refreshments.
Above right: Nanette Newman and Peter Sellers ‘Pretending to be ice skating’ in St Moritz. photograph Brian Forbes copyright Nanette Newman
Peter Sellers: Behind The Camera
12 February – 6 March 2016 A unique retrospective of one of the world’s great comedy actors, this exhibition comprises of over fifty rare photographs, either taken by the artist himself or relating to his photographic career. Enjoy a veritable who’s who of some of the
era’s most famous faces including Nanette Newman, Liza Minnelli, Ringo Starr and Sophia Loren. As well as presenting a fascinating pictorial chronicle of the ‘60s and ‘70s, Peter Sellers – Behind the Camera also offers an intriguing glimpse of another facet of this multi-talented performer.
What’s On
Tours Art Store Tours
Alternate Sundays / 24 Jan, 7 & 21 Feb, 6 & 20 March, 3 & 17 April / 12pm / £6 / £5 conc. & members Enjoy a fascinating behindthe-scenes introduction to Towner’s impressive art collection. You will learn about the story of our collection, from the original Victorian bequest through to some of our most recent acquisitions of works by contemporary artists. Although key artists such as Ravilious will always feature, there is flexibility for visitors to make specific requests, ensuring no two tours are ever the same.
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‘Perspectives On…’ Themed Tours
Our popular ‘Perspectives on…’ themed tours are a great way to learn more about a particular artist, genre or theme represented in Towner’s extensive art Collection. Numbers are kept low to ensure a quality experience so book early to avoid disappointment. Perspectives On… Works in Preparation Sat 27 February / 2pm / £7 / £6 conc. & members Towner’s collection includes several preparatory works on paper by artists who used them as drafts to plan their final pieces, demonstrating and detailing their thought
and planning processes. Our conservator Corinne Farmer will explore how a range of artists, including Duncan Grant, Elizabeth Frink and Eric Ravilious each dealt with creating new works.
Eric Ravilious, Study for Submarine Series, c.1941. Towner Collection
What’s On Perspectives On… The Berwick Murals Tues 29 March / 2pm / £7 / £6 conc. & members One of the hidden treasures in Towner’s art store is our collection of sketches produced by Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell in preparation for their murals in Berwick Church. Your guide, Terry Henson, will invite you to view these delicate works on paper and explore the context and creative process behind the mural commission.
Exclusive Private Tours
Below: Towner Art Store. Image courtesy of Avant Commercial
We also offer private tours of our art store at a time of your choice for £7 per head (minimum charge £35). An ideal gift for any art lover or an inspiring social excursion for your group. To arrange a visit, contact towner@townereastbourne. org.uk
Open Ended
First Tuesday of every month / 5 Jan, 2 Feb, 1 March & 5 April / 10am-12pm / £3 + free for carers (incl. refreshments) Open Ended is a special initiative for people living with memory loss and their carers. More of a conversation through art than a formal tour, each visit provides an opportunity to explore art works in our collection with a specially trained member of staff.
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Special Events Arts Award from All Angles
Fri 22 January / 10.30am-4pm / £5 Arts Award is 10 this year! If you’re interested in delivering Arts Awards and sharing good practice, this is an ideal opportunity to find out more from the perspective of young people, schools and galleries. Get up to date with latest regional news from Artswork and pick up funding ideas and local contacts to make the most of Arts Award. Contact us for more information and further details.
The Coastal Culture Trail Along a 25-mile strip of East Sussex coastline, you will find three of the best contemporary art galleries in the South of England – Towner Art Gallery in Eastbourne, De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill and Jerwood Gallery in Hastings. We have packaged ideas
for your weekend in Sussex including where to enjoy local food, drink and hospitality, where to hire bikes and what else there is to see and do! Coastalculturetrail.com @CoastalCultureT
Wed 24 February / 6.30pm-9.00pm / Free An evening for local businesses on the Coastal Culture Trail to meet the three galleries, local decision makers and provide networking opportunities. Speakers include Emma Morris, Executive Director Towner Art Gallery; Polly Gifford, Strategic Cultural Development Specialist, Hastings Borough Council; Phil Evans, Senior Head of Tourism and Enterprise, Eastbourne Borough Council and Philip Johnson, Director, Locate East Sussex.
Project has been funded as part of Driving Devonshire Forward (DDF) initiative by Coastal Communities Fund. DDF is managed by Eastbourne Borough Council & Eastbourne Homes Limited.
Visitor Information
Visitor information Towner Devonshire Park, College Road Eastbourne BN21 4JJ Tel 01323 434670 Email towner@townereastbourne.org.uk Web townereastbourne.org.uk Tues-Sun 10am-5pm Bank Holiday Mons 10am-5pm Admission is free
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Access all areas
Towner supports the i-go ACCESS ALL AREAS scheme, an initiative to improve access to leisure activities for children and young people with disabilities and special needs across East Sussex. Towner strives to be accessible to all. There is a lift to each floor. A manual wheelchair can be provided. See our website for more information on how we can meet your access requirements.
Visit our gallery shop to find inspiring art, beautiful books and special gifts for all ages, including a full selection of limited edition giclee prints. You can also shop online at shop.townereastbourne.org.uk
Membership Join us and discover more with membership. Become a member of Towner, and you can start enjoying the many benefits membership offers while allowing us to continue to make art accessible to all. Sign up at townereastbourne.org.uk/join-us/ membership/
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By bike Why not cycle? Secure bike racks to the rear of the building.
Shop
Become a volunteer Volunteers are a key part of the Towner team. If you are interested in art, love interacting with people and are keen to develop new skills or gain experience, then we would love to hear from you. If you are interested visit our website or contact volunteer@ townereastbourne.org.uk
South St
Grange Rd
By car College Road car park is pay and display. There are 7 blue badge holder spaces in the car park next to Towner.
Eastbourne Station
Grange Rd
By train By train, Eastbourne is 35 minutes from Brighton and just 1hr 25 mins from London. There are direct rail links from London, Brighton and throughout the South East – see our website. By bus, Eastbourne is 1 hour from Brighton.
Towner’s versatile and stylish spaces are available to hire, during the day and also for evening events. To find out more contact Niamh on 01323 434679 or roomhire@ townereastbourne.org.uk
Support Us
Gildredge Road
By bus The no. 3 bus stops next to the Congress Theatre adjacent to Towner, and other buses include 12, 12A, 12X and 13X and 98 & 99.
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Venue Hire
Travel and parking
Towner is only a 10-minute walk from Eastbourne train station and a few minutes from the seafront. Follow signs to Devonshire Park.
Visitor Information
Mailing list Join our e-newsletter mailing list to receive information about our exhibitions, events, special offers, and invitations to private views. Sign up at townereastbourne.org.uk/ mailing-list/
Urban Ground
Our light and airy top floor café is the perfect spot to relax, meet friends and enjoy some top quality coffee , homemade cakes and freshly prepared light lunches.
Conservation Services
Do you have a painting, print or object that requires specialist cleaning or repair? Towner is now pleased to offer professional conservation services, undertaken by our fully accredited conservator Corinne Farmer, ACR. Specialist areas include paper, photographic material, works on paper and works on canvas. To book a free consultation contact Corinne on 01323 434670 or corinne.farmer@ townereastbourne.org.uk
towner art gallery
Towner Devonshire Park, College Road Eastbourne BN21 4JJ Tel 01323 434670 Email towner@townereastbourne.org.uk Web townereastbourne.org.uk Follow us on Facebook.com/TownerGallery Twitter.com/TownerGallery Instagram.com/TownerGallery Tues-Sun 10am-5pm Bank Holiday Mondays 10am-5pm Admission is free
We are very grateful to EY, our corporate supporters Thanks to Devonshire Park Hotel for their on-going support