The gallery will be presenting work from Hirst, who became famous for a series of artworks in which dead animals (including a shark, a sheep and a cow) are preserved in formaldehyde, from October 6th 2012 for a full year until October 27th 2013.
Damien Hirst is the most prominent artist to have emerged from the British art scene in the 1990s and his influence on the development of contemporary art has been hugely significant. He won the Turner Prize in 1995 and a major survey of the artist’s work has recently been shown at Tate Modern,London.
The gallery was selected to present the very first year-long display of key works by Hirst as part of ARTIST ROOMS, a collection of modern and contemporary art acquired jointly by Tate and National Galleries of Scotland for the nation through the generosity of Anthony d'Offay, with the assistance of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, the Art Fund and the Scottish and British Governments.
Councillor Anthony Harris, cabinet member for Leisure and Culture at Walsall Council, said: “This is absolutely fantastic news that Hirst’s work is going to be displayed at The New Art Gallery. It really is an opportunity to put the New Art Gallery and Walsall on the map – both nationally and internationally.
“We are expecting art enthusiasts from across the globe to visit the exhibition here in Walsall but it also presents a chance for local people here in Walsall to view art which is normally onlyon display in London. We want local residents to come and take a look for themselves and to see what else the Art Gallery has to offer,” he added.
The work will be presented within the gallery's permanent Garman Ryan Collection. It will include major works spanning the whole of Hirst’s career including Trinity (2000) consisting of wall cabinets displaying anatomical models, an early self-portrait With Dead Head (1991) and Away from the Flock (1994), one of his iconic works comprising of a lamb suspended in a tank of formaldehyde.
Sir Jacob Epstein, the artist at the core of the Garman Ryan Collection, like Hirst, attracted controversy throughout his career. Both are now widely regarded as highly inventive and groundbreaking artists who have worked across a wide range of media. Both artists have been preoccupied with the universal themes of life, death, faith and religion. The display offers visitors the opportunity to consider Hirst’s practice in depth, whilst providing a contemporary insight into historic works from the gallery’s Collection.
The ARTIST ROOMS display will be accompanied by a series of inspired satellite exhibitions and events throughout the course of the year as well as a rich and varied education programme providing opportunities for visitors of all ages. A specific programme has been set up for young people aged 13-25. Anyone interested in being involved should contact the gallery.
The ARTIST ROOMS tour, now in its 4th year, is showing at 17 museums and galleries across the UK in 2012. The tour is made possible thanks to the support of national fundraising charity the Art Fund which helps UK museums and galleries to buy, show and share art.
To find out more information about ARTIST ROOMS On Tour please visit www.artfund.org. To see the full ARTIST ROOMS collection please visit www.tate.org.uk/artistrooms and www.nationalgalleries.org/artistrooms
