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Gary Hume exhibition at the Jerwood Gallery

Elizabeth Gilmore interviewed

HOT’s Joe Fearn chatted to Elizabeth Gilmore, Director of the Jerwood Gallery, as they walked around the Foreshore Gallery which is currently exhibiting Gary Hume’s paintings and sculpture.

Joe Fearn: These artworks are very imposing; some are as large as Rose Wylie’s work.

Elizabeth Gilmore: Yes. The painting on the long wall is possibly larger. Gary’s art has inevitably encroached upon other areas, but it was necessary to give the work the required space.

Joe Fearn: And I see that sculpture is included in the exhibition.

Elizabeth Gilmore: Yes, its great to have sculpture on show. I particularly like the impact of Gary’s sculpture of the snowmen, which has certain vagueness, a lack of easily identifiable features, and how this contrasts with the paintings, with their focus on body parts. I think visitors will pick up on that and enjoy it.

Joe Fearn: What made the Jerwood chose this particular artist?

Elizabeth Gilmore: Well Gary already has an association with us, having won the Jerwood Painting Prize in 1997. It is particularly appropriate to be hosting this show in our inaugural year. Hume was born in nearby Kent and has strong family ties to the area. Also, he is one of the most important artists of his generation and this exhibition gives audiences outside London an opportunity to explore his work over two decades.

Joe Fearn: Do you think it will attract the biggest audience so far?

Elizabeth Gilmore: I’m certain it will be popular. We attract the curious as well as art lovers. I mean I wouldn’t particularly want to go to a match in a football stadium, and there are people who don’t want to visit an art gallery, and we have to recognize that. However, we have very positive notes in the visitor’s book written by local people who are not regular visitors to art galleries.

Joe Fearn: And what about the initial opposition to the building of the gallery?

Liz Gilmore drawn by Erica Smith at the Opening of the Jerwood Gallery

Elizabeth Gilmore: Well the large banners have disappeared along with the negativity. The fishermen were anxious about change and that is understandable, but there will be fishermen at the private view and representatives of the fishing community have been welcomed here before.

Joe Fearn: Yes. I reported on the launch of RX150 ‘Roys Boys’ for the Queen’s Jubilee, and it was good to see the captain and crew at the pre-launch party in the Jerwood café.

Elizabeth Gilmore: This year we had the boat project coming to the Stade and the Jerwood gallery hosted the spotlight tours, which highlighted those works of art from the Jerwood collection that had a nautical connection. Then there was dancer and choreographer Charlotte Spencer’s response to the Jerwood collection, as well as our collaboration with project artworks. The Jerwood Gallery aims to be a focus for local events.

Joe Fearn: Are we allowed to know which artist will follow Gary Hume?

Elizabeth Gilmore: It will be Gillian Ayres paintings from the 1950s.

 

 

 

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Posted 19:00 Saturday, Jul 28, 2012 In: Arts News

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