The Stanley Spencer Gallery presents Spencer’s War. The Art of Shipbuilding on the Clyde an exhibition on view through 15 January 2012.
Stanley Spencer Painting of Plumbers © Imperial War Museum
The majority of works in the exhibition are on loan from the Imperial War Museum, London. The exceptions are the two works lent by Worthing Museum and Art Gallery (nos. 18-19), and four drawings in the Stanley Spencer Gallery, either in the collection or on long-term loan (nos. 4, 7, 12 and 27).
The exhibition includes the following six oil paintings from the famous Shipbuilding on the Clyde series, commissioned by the War Artists’ Advisory Committee, and 39 drawings which give insights into Spencer’s working methods.
All the works in the exhibition are by Sir Stanley Spencer, CBE, RA.
13 Shipbuilding on the Clyde: Riveters, 1941
Oil on canvas, 76.2 x 579.1 cm
On loan from the Imperial War Museum, London (LD 1375)
14 Shipbuilding on the Clyde: Riggers, 1944
Oil on canvas, 50.8 x 493.5 cm; upper panel 30.4 x 82.5 cm
On loan from the Imperial War Museum, London (LD 4284)
15 Shipbuilding on the Clyde: Bending the Keel Plate, 1943
Oil on canvas, 76.2 x 579.1 cm
On loan from the Imperial War Museum, London (LD 3106)
16 Shipbuilding on the Clyde: Plumbers, 1944-45
Oil on canvas, 50.8 x 493 cm; upper panel 30.4 x 88.9 cm
On loan from the Imperial War Museum, London (LD 5000)
17 Shipbuilding on the Clyde: Furnaces, 1946
Oil on canvas, 156.2 x 113.6 cm
On loan from the Imperial War Museum, London (LD 5781)
18 The Furnace Man, c1940-4
Oil on board, 34.5 x 23 cm
The Stanley Spencer Gallery was first opened in 1962, three years after the artist’s death. It stands as a lasting memorial to the man who became synonymous with the village of Cookham. He loved his home; it gave him the strength and comfort he needed to be able to allow his imagination to soar and to fully exploit his genius talent for drawing and painting.
Opened by Spencer’s friends and supporters it is still totally run by volunteers and has a wonderful collection of more than 100 of his paintings and drawings. In 2007 the Gallery was awarded a large grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund which enabled the former Methodist chapel to be transformed into a stunning exhibition space. Two exhibitions are held each year. The Summer Exhibition sees the Gallery’s own collection augmented with loans from other galleries and private owners. There is also a fine archive of photographs, books and other written material. The Gallery welcomes both the casual browser and the serious student equally.
Stanley Spencer Gallery
The Kings Hall, High Street, Cookham, Berkshire, SL6 9SJ, United
Kingdom
Tel 44 (0)1628-471885
E-Mail: [email protected]
www.stanleyspencer.org.uk
