The oldest public-built art gallery in England, the 200-year-old Dulwich Picture Gallery, completed its huge £5 million redevelopment in August.
Now the first pictures of the swish new gallery are here. The £5 million project is the biggest renovation the gallery has seen in 20 years, and will open to the public with a celebratory programme of events this weekend (September 6-7).
The biggest addition to the gallery is the brand-new permanent ArtPlay Pavilion and families’ café, as well as a new free-to-access Sculpture Garden. The ArtPlay Pavilion is designed by architecture firm Carmody Groarke, with help from artist duo Sarah Marsh and Stephanie Jefferies.
Inside the pavilion children will be able to jump inside paintings with interiors that are inspired by historic paintings that reside inside the gallery – little ones will be able to run over Canaletto’s bridge and swing in Poussin’s clouds.
The sculpture garden, designed by landscape artist Kim Wilkie, makes use of a under-utilised field at the south side of the gardens with the new Lovington Sculpture Meadow. This will feature an ‘art forest’ with around 130 newly planted trees. One of its main attractions is an undulating piece of land art inspired by Rembrandt’s Girl at a Window which is inside the gallery.
There are also interactive sculptures, including a red and yellow sculpture slide created by Harold Offeh.
Jennifer Scott, Director of Dulwich Picture Gallery, said: ‘What a huge moment this is for Dulwich Picture Gallery as we transform our outdoor spaces. I am immensely grateful to all the supporters who have helped us to make our vision a reality, staying true to the Gallery’s founding idea that great art is made for sharing.’
On Saturday, September 6 and Sunday, September 7, the gallery will be host ArtPlay Festival, with creative workshops including printmaking, storytelling sessions, glitter face painting, a silent disco and a classical music showcase from the City of London Sinfonia.
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