Rarely-seen works on show in Hatton Gallery exhibition

Newcastle University’s Hatton Gallery is preparing to showcase an exhibition of 70 rarely-seen works from artists including Frank Auerbach, Laura Lancaster, Chris Ofili, Samuel Palmer, Thomas Hair and Bronwen Sleigh. 

The exhibition which will run from Saturday 2 July - Saturday 6 August, consists of light-sensitive works on paper from the sixteenth century to the present day which are unable to be shown regularly or for long periods of time. 

All of the artworks are from the Hatton Gallery and Laing Art Gallery collections. 

The collection of works by contemporary Welsh artist Bronwen Sleigh combine printmaking with elements of drawing. Her prints use different colour combinations and geometric forms to explore forgotten urban spaces and industrial architecture. Within the finished prints, the specific places that inspired each of Sleigh’s works become unrecognisable, with colour, shape and fragmented forms taking centre stage. 

Also on display are a collection of watercolours by Thomas Hair, which depict a series of views of North East collieries in the 1830s. Made in preparation for a series of prints, these delicate watercolours form one of the only visual records of the region’s mining landscape at this time.  

While many of the works in the exhibition were made by British and European artists, the exhibition features examples from the Hatton’s collection of miniatures made in Northern India, which hint at just one of the many ways the watercolour method has been used by artists working in other parts of the world.  

Julie Milne, Chief Curator of Art Galleries at Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums (TWAM), said: “This is a very special opportunity to see some unique examples of delicate works on paper from the Hatton and Laing Art Gallery collections that we aren’t able to display regularly.” 

The Hatton Gallery collection includes more than 3000 works on paper. There are examples on display by artists from countries including Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, India, Italy and Spain. The Laing Art Gallery collection, meanwhile, is particularly strong in British drawings, watercolours and prints. Some key works from this collection of around 9000 works on paper are also on display.  

The exhibition is accompanied by an information and activity hub with free activities all visitors are welcome to try. 

For full details of opening times, events, and facilities available, please visit the website https://hattongallery.org.uk/