Opening Saturday 10 February visitors will be able to discover some of the most compelling up and coming names in the field of contemporary drawing, displayed alongside works by celebrated artists within the British Museum collection of prints and drawings.
Wolverhampton Art Gallery will use this exhibition to highlight works in the city’s collection, while making meaningful connections with the British Museum’s collection of both historical and contemporary drawing.
This exhibition highlights new acquisitions by some of the freshest and most compelling new voices in the field, exploring questions of identity, memory and materiality, and using innovative materials and processes.
The works are ‘paired’ alongside prints and drawings dating as far back as the early 1500s, demonstrating their continuities with historical traditions of draughtsmanship.
In this surprising and thought provoking selection, emerging artists are taking the medium of drawing in new directions. A wide range of techniques and practices are represented.
City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for Visitor City, Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, said: “Working with the British Museum is incredible and means that both their collection and the city’s collection can be brought to life in a new way and tell a historical story as well as a modern day one with emerging artists that have taken part in the exhibition.
“It is important that we are able to work with our partners across the UK, highlighting works for residents, visitors and future generations to keep developing this story as it evolves.”
Mark Jones, Interim Director of the British Museum, said: “The British Museum’s prints and drawings collection is one of the best in the world. But it is vitally important for future generations that it continues to develop, so we are grateful to Art Fund’s New Collecting Award for allowing us to strengthen our holdings with exciting new British artists.”
Drawing attention: emerging artists in dialogue is supported by the Dorset Foundation in memory of Harry M Weinrebe.
Drawing attention: emerging artists in dialogue is free to attend and can be seen during Wolverhampton Art Gallery opening hours from 10 February to 6 May, 2024: Monday to Saturday (10.30am to 4.30pm) and Sunday (11am to 4pm). For more information visit Wolverhampton Arts & Culture.