Swindon Museum and Art Gallery have added two large-scale paintings by British artist Dee Ferris to its important modern and contemporary British art collection.
The new artworks were acquired through the Contemporary Art Society and will be part of a new exhibition ‘Landscape and Longing’ which will replace the current exhibitions on the ground floor of the Civic Offices next month.
Dee Ferris is a Brighton-based artist, who has exhibited across the UK and internationally. Swindon Museum and Art Gallery is the third public collection to acquire artworks by Ferris, following the Tate and Arts Council Collections.
The two paintings are called ‘Sleepy Hollow’ and ‘The Places We Go’. They represent different moments in Ferris’ career, but both show her preference for large-scale canvases, deep layers of paint, and suggestions of recognisable subject matter.
‘The Places We Go’ is from Ferris’ latest series Azyl/Azul, which explores humanity’s uncomfortable and contradictory relationship with landscape imagery. ‘Sleepy Hollow’ is an earlier painting by Ferris and presents a network of pastel tones, pierced by a brilliant light and the trace of a plant form.
The Contemporary Art Society helps public art collections throughout the UK to purchase art from living artists. Swindon Museum and Art Gallery staff worked with the Contemporary Art Society to select artists whose work will enrich the existing collection and benefit the audiences that will see them.
Katie Ackrill, Swindon Borough Council’s Collections & Exhibitions Officer, said: “Selecting artwork for our collections can be a great challenge, as there is no shortage of creative talent in the UK.
“We felt that The Places We Go and Sleepy Hollow complement the strong representation of landscape art and large-scale abstract painting within our existing collections. They also show how immersive and impactful painting can be, resonating with issues relevant to our current times.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dee Ferris’ paintings to Swindon Museum and Art Gallery, and grateful for the continued support of the Contemporary Art Society.”
Caroline Douglas, Director of the Contemporary Art Society, said: “We are delighted to be able to make this gift of two wonderful new paintings to Swindon, as they prepare to open the museum in its new location. Swindon Museum and Art Gallery have been a member of the Contemporary Art Society since 1945 and we are proud to continue our support through this next phase of the museum’s history.”
Work to create the new venue for Swindon Museum and Art Gallery is progressing well. A new lift to ensure the collections are accessible to all will be installed as part of the refurbishments and a contractor is close to being appointed, meanwhile, the procurement process for the main building contractor opened yesterday (14 March).
When complete, the Civic Offices will provide 40 percent more display space compared to its previous home at Apsley House in Old Town. It is anticipated the new museum and art gallery will be open in late autumn.
The new venue will also provide improved working conditions and additional areas for staff, volunteers, and researchers, presenting an opportunity to restart the museum and art gallery’s volunteer programme.
A space will be developed as a school learning and lunchroom, which will also be used to host museum events, especially those aimed at families and focusing on the museum and art gallery’s extensive collections.
Councillor Matty Courtliff, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Heritage, Leisure, and Town Centre Experience, said: “It’s always exciting when we add new, vibrant artworks to our outstanding collection and I’d like to thank the Contemporary Art Society for helping us acquire these fantastic paintings.
“I can’t wait to see them on display in the Civic Offices. We’re making steady progress behind the scenes to get all the contractors lined up to carry out the refurbishment of the Civic Offices so we can show as much of our collection as possible.
“The new accessible facilities will allow us to share the collection with the whole community and I look forward to seeing the work progressing over the coming months.”
