The art museum and its public
A symposium to celebrate the past, present and future of Southampton’s City Art Gallery
10am-5.15pm
Thursday 12 December 2013
Southampton City Art Gallery, Civic Centre, Commercial Road, Southampton, SO14 7LP
Southampton Solent University and Southampton City Art Gallery welcome guests to a bespoke symposium on Thursday 12 December to examine the rich history of the city’s gallery collection and its future in an evolving art world.
'The art museum and its public' will be held at Southampton City Art Gallery with key speakers followed by a round table discussion to determine the gallery’s hopes for the future worthy of Southampton, the region and the nation.
Southampton City Art Gallery houses one of the most prestigious collections of British and foreign art in the UK and has been the subject of much discussion but also some concern in recent years. The event will touch on the gallery's generous beneficiaries, accessing art collections in a digital age, new regional audiences and gallery management.
The free event organised by the Visual Arts Research Cluster from the Faculty of Creative Industries in collaboration with Southampton City Council, will kick off with an introduction from Brandon Taylor, Senior Research Fellow at Southampton Solent University.
Tim Craven follows with the gallery’s history and the development of the permanent collection. Tim has been a team member since 1980 and has held various posts including Conservation Officer, Collections Manager and Curator during 2002-2008. He has an almost forensic knowledge of Southampton’s fine art collection including 4,000 works that span eight centuries.
Gill Headley’s discussion is on ‘Love Art: A Portrait of Arthur Jeffress in Hampshire, London and Venice.’ As gallery curator from 1983-1988, Gill has a vested interest in its key beneficiary, Jeffress, and has conducted a biographical account.
Andy Ellis will be discussing the collaboration between the Public Catalogue Foundation, the BBC and over 3,000 institutions to make the nation's oil painting collection available to all online.
Mary Lloyd, key note speaker on protecting the city art gallery, was a leading member of the ‘Save our collection’ campaign in 2009, which opposed the council’s proposed sale of works from the collection. She handled negotiations with the Attorney General’s office and contributed to the Charity Commission submission which ruled against any sales in February 2010.
The day will include lunch and afternoon tea and will conclude with a reception at Southampton Solent University's Showcase Gallery on Above Bar.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT THE MEDIA OFFICE ON 023 8031 9642 or email events@solent.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
Images: Southampton City Art Gallery (cite: Southampton City Council)
Speaker biogs:
Gill Headley: Gill has also assumed the position of Director of the Contemporary Art Society which has made many gifts to Southampton over the years. The gallery was part of the Special Collections Scheme, devised by Gill, provided £4.5m for 19 UK museums to purchase works of contemporary international art.
Andy Ellis: Andy has been Director of PCF the since its launch in 2003 and overseen the project to digitise the UK’s national collection of oil paintings.
City Art Gallery opening hours: Monday - Friday 10am - 3pm, Saturday 10am - 5pm, admission free
About Southampton Solent University
Southampton Solent University offers more than 23,000 students over 200 qualifications ranging from HND to PhD, in subjects such as maritime education and training, fashion and design, media and television, music, health, sport and leisure, business, IT and technology.
The university was awarded the 2013 Quality Assurance kitemark for quality and standards of teaching and learning.
Solent was voted one of the most creative universities in the UK in a Which? University 2013 poll of students.
Tags:
