Despite the depressed economic climate new art galleries continue to open in the UK. The Turner Contemporary has operated in a variety of temporary venues in the Margate area since its establishment in 2001. During that time the Turner has mounted a remarkable programme of exhibitions featuring international artists such as Tracey Emin, Bethan Huws and Mike Nelson. In April 2011 the Turner moved into its new home designed by David Chipperfield RA. The new building provides a wonderful contrast between the Victorian sea front architecture and the modern gallery.
Why Turner? Why Margate?
Turner had strong ties to this seaside town. From the age of 11 he went to school in Margate, and as an adult was a frequent visitor, attracted by the quality of the Thanet light.
Turner loved the sea and more than 100 of his paintings, including some of his most famous landscapes, were inspired by the East Kent coast. Margate has been welcoming visitors since the early 19th century, and the presence of an international art gallery can only increase its popularity. Tracey Emin, who grew up in Margate said: "The brilliant thing about Turner Contemporary is that it has given people hope that things are going to change here and also put Margate back on the map".
Joseph Mallord William Turner
Joseph Mallord William Turner was born in London in 1775. Turner showed early talent, and by the age of 12, was selling drawings in the family barber's shop. In 1790, at the age of 15, Turner displayed a watercolour at the Royal Academy of Arts. He contributed two items to the 1791 exhibition, and for the following 60 years his work appeared in almost every exhibition. In 1804 Turner opened his own gallery showing and selling his own work. He was a prolific artist creating an enormous number of oil paintings, watercolours and pencil drawings.
Turner died in 1851. During his life it had been his desire to establish an art prize. His wish came to fruition when the Tate Gallery set up the prestigious Turner Prize in 1984.
Turner Contemporary Looks Towards Turner's Beloved Sea
The Turner Contemporary is located on the sea front on the spot once occupied by Turner's favourite guest house. The gallery is designed to take full advantage of the East Kent light. It comprises six interlinked rectangular areas providing spacious galleries for both exhibitions and educational projects.
Turner Contemporary - a Great Success
Early signs are that Turner Contemporary has been an instant success, with two-thirds of the annual visitor forecast of 150,000 being achieved in the first six weeks since the gallery opened. This success is expected to continue as the gallery's programme of events develops, with exhibitions like Turner and the Elements, the gallery's first comprehensive exhibition of works by Turner. More than 70 watercolours and a selection of oil paintings will be on display. The installation will consider the importance of the elements in Turner's landscape paintings, showing how his portrayal of the elements reflected recent discoveries in the natural sciences.
A great coup for the Turner will be the showing of Auguste Rodin's The Kiss, on loan from the Tate Collection from 4th October to 2nd September 2012. The life-size marble sculpture, one of the most iconic representations of sexual love, was voted the nation's best-loved work of art in a 2003 poll.
Full details of the gallery's educational and exhibition programme is available from Turner Contemporary.
Source:
- Turner Contemporary Margate
Frances Spiegel - Frances Spiegel, B.A. Hons. (Open)., Dip.Eur.Hum., read Art History/European Modern History at the Open University.
