The weekly feature rounds up the latest updates in museum appointments, openings, funding and new exhibitions from across the UK.
Appointments
Eight new appointments are to join Arts Council England’s South West Area Council. Four new local authority members join a further four new appointments in the creative and cultural sector, including Julie Caplin-Grey, Chair of Royal Cornwall Museum, and Mark Wallace, Director Beaford Arts.
Journalist, author and former Sunderland South MP Chris Mullin is to take up the role of Chair at Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums in September 2023. Mullin will take over the role from Baroness Joyce Quin.
https://museumsandheritage.com/news/former-mp-appointed-chair-of-tyne-and-wear-archives-museums/
Exhibitions
A red coat worn by Princess Diana when she announced her pregnancy with Prince William will go on display for the first time in over a decade as part of a new exhibition at Museum of London Docklands. Earlier this year the museum began a public search for high-profile designer outfits worn by rockstars ahead of ‘Fashion City: How Jewish Londoners shaped global style’. The exhibition will display pieces that uncover the contribution of Jewish designers in making London a fashion destination. Also on display is a newly acquired Alexon tweed coat worn by EastEnders character Dot Cotton, and items from some of the UK’s most recognisable high street stores including M&S, Wallis and Moss Bros. Runs October 2023 – 14 October 2024.
A new projection-led exhibition is to open at Lincoln Museum. ‘CODED: Digital Art that Defies Definition’ features work by artist Marpi, who uses computer coding to create the projected artwork. The exhibition has been given a local connection with a showcase of the life and legacy of 19th century Lincolnshire mathematician, George Boole, whose work forms the basis of much of computer language today.
The Ashmolean’s autumn exhibition is to present a version of the Victorian world full of colour. ‘Colour Revolution: Victorian Art, Fashion & Design’ does away with visions of smog and mills, and explores the period’s colourful developments in art, science and technology. Artworks, costume and design will be displayed across 140 objects from international collections. Runs 21 September 2023-18 February 2024.
Bailiffgate Museum & Gallery has opened a new family-focussed exhibit featuring the artists who have illustrated Ladybird books for more than 30 years.‘The Wonderful World of Ladybird Book Artists’ is curated by Ladybird expert and enthusiast Helen Day, and displays a large collection of books, original artwork, and artefacts including vintage books. Runs until 5 November 2023.
Exeter’s RAMM is to host the Hayward Gallery Touring exhibition ‘Hollow Earth: Art, Caves and the Subterranean Imaginary’ from September. The thematic art exhibition brings together a range of responses to the image and idea of the cave, including painting, photography, sculpture, and video, as well as objects from RAMM’s collection, from ancient history through to modern and contemporary art. Runs 23 September 2023 – 7 January 2024.
Nuneaton Museum & Art Gallery is to celebrate the centenary of Nuneaton’s comic legend Larry Grayson in ‘Wiv Luv Larry’. Visitors can learn about the comic’s life in his own words through the letters he wrote to superfan Pauline as well as numerous images and ephemera, and rarely seen private photographs. Runs 15 July – Sunday 3 September 2023.
A giant model of the Moon is to go back on display at Derby Cathedral later this year.The illuminated moon from artist Luke Jerram, known as ‘Museum of the Moon’ will be available to view from 12 October – 10 November 2023.
Banbury Museum & Gallery will explore the role of robots in popular culture and science fiction stories in its ‘Robot’ exhibition. Featuring full-size robots, cyborgs and androids, the exhibition will also explore the idea of the robot through vintage tin toys and sculptures. Runs 15 July – 8 October 2023.
Funding
A portrait of Captain Frederick Cornewal, which first entered the Royal Museums Greenwich collection in 1960, has recently been identified as having been painted by artist Thomas Gainsborough. A £60,000 crowdfunding campaign has begun to conserve the painting and frame it for display before its display at the Queen’s House in Greenwich.
https://museumsandheritage.com/news/crowdfund-launched-to-conserve-rediscovered-gainsborough/
Royal Cornwall Museum has been awarded nearly half a million pounds to transform its mineral gallery with the introduction of a digital lab.The museum has received a £476,000 grant, the first funding announced from the main programme of the £23.6 million Truro Town Deal.
https://museumsandheritage.com/news/royal-cornwall-museums-476000-grant-to-create-digital-lab/
Events
See the WideTEK art scanners in action at PermaJet’s upcoming demo day. The WideTEK 25 and 36 art scanners are designed to capture highly detailed artwork reproductions that are true to the original, and are designed for fine art galleries and museum archivists looking to replicate artworks and paintings. The events take place on 28 and 29 July 2023 The Imaging Warehouse in Stratford-upon-Avon.
https://museumsandheritage.com/supplier-news/permajet-announces-widetek-art-scanner-demo-day/
