November 29, 2011
An appeal by Eastbourne’s award-winning contemporary art museum Towner to purchase two important pieces of artwork by 20th century British artist John Piper has been successful, with overwhelming support from visitors.
Thanks to grants from the Art Fund, the V&A and the Friends of the Towner, and the incredible generosity of Towner visitors and fans, the gallery has been able to acquire a pair of works by Piper demonstrating his love of the Sussex coastline and close connection to the Sussex landscape, which will strengthen and complement the Towner Collection.
Earlier this year many of Piper’s works were on display at Towner in its summer exhibition, John Piper in Kent & Sussex, which was a smash hit with visitors to the gallery and received critical acclaim with coverage in every national broadsheet newspaper.
When the opportunity to purchase two of the most significant works in the exhibition arose, Towner was fortunate to immediately secure a total of £75,000 from the three grant-making bodies – leaving the gallery with £10,000 still to find.
With less than a month to go until the exhibition closed, an appeal was launched to raise the remaining funds, with visitors asked to make a small donation on exhibition entry (and many taking the opportunity to give more). Towner members were also key supporters and it is testament to the strength of local support, as well as the generosity of visitors from further afield, that such a substantial amount was raised in just over three weeks.
Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism and Leisure Cllr Neil Stanley said “A huge thanks must go to Towner visitors and supporters – we were absolutely delighted by the positive response to our appeal, with the vast majority of visitors taking the opportunity to give a small donation, and it is their generosity that made these acquisitions possible. Towner is also immensely grateful to the Art Fund, the V&A and the Friends of the Towner for their vital contribution towards the purchase of these two significant pieces of British art, which really will make an important addition to our collection here in Eastbourne. Both pieces have a great connection to works by Eric Ravilious, which are already held in the collection, and the successful appeal comes at the end of a very exciting year for Towner.”
Piper has previously been underrepresented in the Towner Collection but the new acquisitions now complement Towner’s world renowned Ravilious collection, with both pieces of art being produced during a time of close interaction between Piper and Ravilious.
The two pieces that will now form part of the Towner Collection are Newhaven, The Castle (1934) and Newhaven (1937). Both works depict the same subject matter yet have a very different feel, demonstrating Piper’s rapid development during a critical time when he was at the forefront of critical debate and practice within British Art. The works were produced when Piper was staying at Furlongs, an important 20th century artistic community in East Sussex, and celebrate a unique aspect of 20th century art in the heart of the South Downs.
As they are sensitive works on paper, now that the Piper exhibition has closed, the two newly acquired works will be rested in Towner’s collection store. They will be available for display again from spring 2012 and may be included in one of Towner’s six monthly changing collection displays, which are often selected by different groups within the Eastbourne community, as well as being available for loan to other galleries.
For more information on the Towner Collection or to find out what’s on go to the Towner's website or call 01323 434670.
