Barnsley’s museums and galleries are getting more visitors than ever right now. Over the last few years, the town has seen a great number of successful funding bids from bodies such as European Regional Development Fund, Arts Council of England and Lottery Heritage Fund, for both individual exhibitions and for much bigger projects such as the extension of The Cooper Gallery and for the building of the town’s own museum.
We’re going to be seeing some very exciting exhibitions in 2015, and here are seven of them, hand-picked for your attention.
MATISSE DRAWING WITH SCISSORS: LATE WORKS 1950 – 1954 @ BARNSLEY CIVIC
FRI 14 FEB – SAT 14 MAR
The French painter, sculptor and designer Henri Matisse (1869-1954) was one of the 20th century’s most influential artists. His vibrant works are celebrated for their extraordinary richness and luminosity of colour and his spectacular paper cut-outs were his final triumph.Matisse: Drawing with Scissors, a Hayward Touring exhibition from the Southbank Centre, features 35 posthumous prints of the famous cut-outs that he produced in the last four years of his life, when confined to his bed. It includes many of his iconic images, such as The Snail and the Blue Nudes. A Hayward Touring exhibition from Southbank Centre, London.
www.southbankcentre.co.uk/find/hayward-gallery-and-visual-arts/hayward-touring/current/matisse-drawing-with-scissors
THE KINGS OF ENGLAND @ THE COOPER GALLERY
SAT 7 MAR – SAT 18 APR
“The Kings Of England” is a documentary/portrait photography exhibition by South Yorkshire based photographer Graeme Oxby. The photographs explore the world wide cultural impact of a young man from Memphis who fused country music and blues, shook his hips and became the most photographed man in history.For most people in Britain, Elvis Presley was a legendary figure who only existed in films, on television and on record. Only once did he set foot on British soil and that was in the dead of night en route from Germany back to the USA.
The “Original” Elvis act was based on African American performers including Chuck Berry, Little Richard and Arthur “Big Boy” Cruddup. Thirty five years after his death, the fascination with Elvis lives on through the legions of impersonators or “Tribute Artists” as they are now known. A worldwide phenomenon, Elvis Tribute Artists, perform regularly in pubs, clubs and theatres up and down the British Isles.
www.graemeoxby.com/the-kings-of-england
www.cooper-gallery.com
A WORLD TO WIN: POSTERS OF PROTEST AND REVOLUTION @ BARNSLEY CIVIC
FRI 27 MAR – SAT 13 JUN
From the ‘Votes for Women’ campaign of the early Twentieth Century to the recent Occupy movements, the poster has been used to mobilise, educate and organise. Bringing together around seventy posters from the V&A’s collection, A World to Win: Posters of Protest and Revolution looks at the defining features of protest graphics, showcasing the work of diverse artists, graphic designers and print collectives.It includes important new acquisitions, for example Rene Mederos’s poster celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Cuban Revolution, and includes loans from the Linen Hall Library in Belfast.
www.barnsleycivic.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1201:a-world-to-win-posters-of-protest-and-revolution&catid=3:gallery&Itemid=5
THE ILLUSTRATION CUPBOARD @ THE COOPER GALLERY
SAT 25 APR – SAT 11 JUL
The first of a number of very child friendly exhibitions taking place in Barnsley in 2015. The illustration cupboard will feature original illustrations and prints of works by many illustrious artists including Allan and Janet Ahlberg (Funny Bones), Dick Bruna (Miffy), Lauren Child (Charlie and Lola), Oliver Jeffers (The Incredible Book eating Boy), Judith Kerr (The Tiger Who Came To Tea), David McKee (Mr Benn), Jan Pienkowski (Meg and Mog), Tony Ross (Horrid Henry), Maurice Sendak (Where The Wild Things Are) and many, many more.
There will be a series of talks and workshops running alongside this to be announced soon
Why not make friends with The Cooper on facebook, and stay in the know about future events there.
NICK SHARRATT: PIRATES, PANTS AND WELLYPHANTS @ THE CIVIC, BARNSLEY
27 JUN – 3 OCT
The Civic will be holding an awesome exhibition of famous children’s illustrator and author, Nick Sharratt’s work.
Famous for his collaborative works with Jacqueline Wilson (Tracey Beaker) and his own popular books, such as Elephant Wellyphant, Pants and Don’t Put Your Finger In The Jelly Nelly, the exhibition will run throughout the summer and will be another excellent way to get your children engaged in the arts.
www.barnsleycivic.co.uk
www.nicksharratt.com
SERVICE PLEASE! THE BRITISH CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY @ EXPERIENCE BARNSLEY
MON 6 JUL – SUN 27 SEP
Step back in time and explore the Barnsley British Co-operative society through a Heritage Lottery Funded project. We want to record your stories and memories about the Co-op. You can get involved in the exhibition and events by loaning your Co-op memorabilia. Do you remember your divi share number? Contact us at experiencebarnsley@barnsley.gov.uk to get involved.
www.experience-barnsley.com
DOWNTON ABBEY COSTUMES @ CANNON HALL
SAT 11 JUL – SUN 6 SEP
Costumes of Downton Abbey is an original exhibition of exquisite designs from the award-winning television series. Twenty historically inspired costumes from the television show are displayed.
The costumes will be lent by Cosprop, the world’s leading costumier to film, television, and theatre.
Explore life upstairs and downstairs in a country house through the costumes, and special displays of archive material from the Spencer-Stanhope family of Cannon Hall.
www.cannon-hall.com
Alternative Barnsley 