Nav's Gallery Report: The New Art Gallery Walsall

Yesterday I visited the New Art Gallery in Walsall. The gallery has a reputation for providing internationally renowned exhibitions such as the Garman Ryan Collections which is currently on show at the moment.

The Garman Ryan collection consists primarily of Jacob Epstein's work. The collections provides an exciting view  of artworks from fascinating people who were linked together by there similarities, stories behind their work, and relationship between each other.
Jacob Epstein's wife Kathleen Garman formed this extraordinary collection with sculptor friend Sally Ryan which was subsequently given to the Borough of Walsall in 1973. Garman met Epstein when she was 20 in 1921, they later married after the death of his first wife and together had three children.
This inspiring collection consists of great European artists such as Rembrandt, Van Gogh and Monet. This collection not only has artworks from famous artists but also has works from unknown artists from many cultures across the world.
When walking around the room the collection of works seemed like an intimate memorial from his wife as many personal letters and artworks from Epstein's friends and family throughout his life were exhibited such as Augustus John, Matthew Smith and son-in-law Lucien Freud.

Portrait of Kitty
by Lucien Freud  1948

When walking into different rooms of the collection I had an insight into his complex family life and his occasionally controversial career.
Garman and Ryan formulated this collection by linking and comparing Epstein's work to artists works from different centuries and cultures such as Damien Hirst. The two curators linked these two together from their similarities within there works as they both shocked the art world with their innovative and thought provoking artworks.

Damien Hirst
Away from the Flock 1994Glass, painted steel, silicone, acrylic, plastic, lamb and formaldehyde solution960 x 1490 x 510 mm | 37.8 x 58.7 x 20.1 in | Edition 3 of 3 + 1 AP

Damien HirstAway from the Flock 1994Glass, painted steel, silicone, acrylic, plastic, lamb and formaldehyde solution960 x 1490 x 510 mm | 37.8 x 58.7 x 20.1 in | Edition 3 of 3 + 1 AP

Sir Jacob Epstein

Study for 'The Rock Drill'

c.1913

Charcoal on paper

support: 641 x 533 mm

Part of the collection touches on the subject of birth, death and religion as both artists explore this theme within their work which highlight the changes in attitudes throughout the 20th century.

Damien HirstMonument to the Living and the Dead  2006Butterflies and household gloss on canvasDiptych, each: 2134 x 2134 mm | 84 x 84 in

Jacob and the Angel 1940-1

For more information about the exhibition click here.