Rugby's Complete Art Collection
Rugby Art Gallery and Museum will present its entire collection of 257 artworks for the first time in decades. The "Unveiled" exhibition runs February 21 to June 6, offering a rare opportunity to see the borough's full artistic heritage under one roof.
- The Rugby Collection was founded in 1946 with the goal of acquiring works by British artists of "promise and renown" for the borough. It has since grown to include paintings, prints, drawings, photographs, and video art. - The exhibition will display the works chronologically, allowing visitors to trace the evolution of British art over eight decades, from post-war realism to contemporary pieces. - Among the 257 artworks are pieces by internationally recognized artists such as L.S. Lowry, Lucian Freud, Barbara Hepworth, Stanley Spencer, Bridget Riley, and Paula Rego. - A recent addition to the collection is the painting "Construct 2" by Barbara Walker, who was a 2023 Turner Prize nominee. - While the art collection is a major feature, the venue also holds a collection of Roman artefacts from the nearby town of Tripontium and a social history collection. - The exhibition coincides with the museum's 25th anniversary and will be accompanied by the launch of a new book, "The Story So Far: The Rugby Collection at 80," detailing the collection's history.
