Abbot Hall Art Gallery
Abbot Hall
Kendal
Cumbria
LA9 5AL
England
Website
Telephone
01539 722464
Fax
01539 722494
Abbot Hall's fine collection of 18th, 19th and 20th Century art is set within an elegant Georgian Villa. The permanent collection is complimented by a programme of critically acclaimed changing exhibitions. Abbot Hall's coffee shop also boasts an appetising menu of locally produced food, which is freshly prepared.
Venue Type:
Gallery, Historic house or home
Collection details
Archives, Decorative and Applied Art, Fine Art, Music, Personalities, Social History
Graham Sutherland
Graham Sutherland (1903-80) was the unofficial leader of the Neo-Romantic movement, spearheading a return to a visionary conception of the British landscape after the devastation of the Second World War. This exhibition at Abbot Hall, the first significant show of the artist in the north west, will explore Sutherland’s surreal transformation of the natural forms he chanced upon (‘accidental encounters’ as he termed it), twisting them into striking, dramatic compositions imbued with an ‘exultant strangeness’ and illuminated by the elemental power of the artist’s imagination.
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
Adults £6.20, Gift Aid It for £6.85
Young people up to the age of 16 and full-time students FREE
Website
Modern Materials: Abbot Hall’s British Sculpture Collection
This display, featuring rarely seen works from the Lakeland Arts Trust’s permanent collection, will show that there is more to sculpture than just bronze and marble. Whether it is the slate obelisk of Ian Hamilton Finlay’s Corday Lux, the polished steel of Richard Wentworth’s humorous Half a mo or the infinite possibilities presented by Li Yuan-Chia’s experimental magnetic sculpture, the variety of materials and approaches in this wonderfully diverse selection demonstrates how inventive British sculpture can be.
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
Adults £6.20, Gift Aid It for £6.85
Young people up to the age of 16 and full-time students FREE
Website
http://www.abbothall.org.uk/exhibitions/modern-materials-abbot-hall’s-british-sculpture-collection
Radev Collection: Bloomsbury & Beyond
The Radev Collection is named after Mattei Radev, who came to Britain in the 1950’s as a stowaway on a cargo ship, fleeing from communism in his native Bulgaria. Radev went on to build a new life in London mixing in the artistic Bloomsbury circle and becoming a leading picture framer for the London Galleries.
Radev inherited most of the works from his friend the artist-dealer Eardley Knollys who had in turn inherited from music critic 5th Lord Sackville, Eddy Sackville-West following the latter’s’ death in 1965. The impressive collection includes works by British and international artists including Duncan Grant, Alfred Wallis, Ivon Hitchens, Ben Nicholson and Lucien Pissarro.
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
Admission
Adults £6.20, Gift Aid It for £6.85
Young people up to the age of 16 and full-time students FREE
Website
http://www.abbothall.org.uk/exhibitions/radev-collection-bloomsbury-beyond
Picasso’s Tête de Femme
This tiny bronze sculpture is an incredibly rare cast of Picasso’s 1906 copper relief, depicting a strongly-stylised head of a woman, from one of the artist’s most intensely creative periods. The Lakeland Arts Trust is thrilled to have been lent this fascinating sculpture on long term loan, giving visitors the opportunity to glimpse a moment of this modern master’s creative genius as he worked towards his first iconic masterpiece, Les Demoiselles d’Avignon of 1907.
This small bronze will be displayed alongside works from the Lakeland Arts Trust’s modern collection, highlighting the influence that Picasso exerted on his contemporaries.
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
Adults £6.20, Gift Aid It for £6.85
Young people up to the age of 16 and full-time students FREE
Website
http://www.abbothall.org.uk/exhibitions/picasso’s-tête-de-femme
Display - The Great Picture Triptych
This complex, mysterious and enormous 17th century triptych was acquired by the Lakeland Arts Trust in 1981 with the aim of keeping it in the North West where Lady Anne Clifford, who commissioned this painting, ruled over her estates in the counties of Westmorland and Craven.
The complete work remained on display at Appleby Castle until its return to Kendal in 1999. However, due to access difficulties, the triptych has never previously been shown in its entirety at Abbot Hall – until now.
Suitable for
- Family friendly
- Any age
Admission
Adults £6.20, Gift Aid It for £6.85
Young people up to the age of 16 and full-time students FREE
Website
http://www.abbothall.org.uk/exhibitions/great-picture-triptych
Young at Art
We’re taking a traditional feel this month and getting to grips with landscape painting, but with Graham Sutherland awaiting to be displayed, this session may take on a surreal turn.
The Lakeland Arts Barn (The LAB) at Abbot Hall is where our creative fun happens, a place to develop new talent, innovate and explore collections. But keep it quiet as we don’t want everyone finding out! Monthly afternoon workshops for artists aged 11-16. Limited places, booking essential on 01539 722464.
Suitable for
- 11-13
- 14-15
- Especially for children
When
12-2pm
Website
Spotlight on Ben Nicholson
As we look forward to our Autumn exhibition, Radev Collection: Bloomsbury & Beyond, we will explore the work of iconic British artist Ben Nicholson on display from our permanent collection.
When
2-2:30pm
Admission
Free with admission, just drop in!
Website
Sculptural Books
Make your own surreal pop-up book inspired by the Sutherland landscapes. Free with admission, includes entry to the exhibition.
Suitable for
- Any age
When
1-4pm
Admission
Free with admission, just drop in!
Website
Late Opening
The gallery will be transformed for one night to welcome in the summer exhibitions. Not only will there be a fabulous new exhibition to view, but there will be opportunities to listen to live music, take part in a discussion on the value of art, have a drink, socialise and generally experience an art gallery in a different way. More details of the evening’s programme will be available soon. Booking essential http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/event/6833710813/culture24
Suitable for
- 18+
- Not suitable for children
When
7-10pm
Admission
Free with admission: Adults £6.20, Gift Aid It for £6.85. Young people up to the age of 16 and full-time students free.
Website
Picasso Perspectives
Nick Rogers, curator, will talk about the great Pablo Picasso.
Suitable for
- Family friendly
- Any age
When
12-12:30pm
Admission
Free with admission: Adults £6.20, Gift Aid It for £6.85. Young people up to the age of 16 and full-time students free.
Website
Gala performance: Lady Anne Clifford, a woman cast out
A gala performance by Kendal Community Theatre of Lady Anne Clifford, a woman cast out. This new play deals with the struggles of a determined seventeenth-century woman as she battles through the courts to obtain her inheritance and to become Baroness of Westmorland. After a lifetime of struggle against powerful men, including her own husband, she eventually gains her birthright. This performance takes place at Abbot Hall, home to The Great Picture, the enormous painting telling the story of Lady Anne Clifford.
When
6:30-8pm
Admission
Tickets £9 / £6 ‘Friends’, includes a drinks reception at 6pm. Booking essential. http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/event/6767847815/culture24
Website
http://www.abbothall.org.uk/event/gala-performance-lady-anne-clifford-woman-cast-out
Drawing the Forms of Nature: A Creative Walk
This full day exploration of the flora and fauna of the surrounding area is inspired by Sutherland’s work, and along the journey the landscapes of Kendal will inspire the discussions and artwork produced by you along the way. Booking essential as places are limited. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear and bring refreshments. http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/event/6769615101/culture24
Suitable for
- 18+
- Not suitable for children
When
10am-5pm
Admission
Workshop cost £15, includes admission to the exhibition.
Website
http://www.abbothall.org.uk/event/drawing-forms-nature-creative-walk
Art Summer School
Keep up-to-date with all the new exhibitions and art techniques in this week-long summer school of art. We are passionate about art and we know that there are plenty of young people out there who are too. Join us each day and explore art with an invited artist. You will be with us all day, so you need to bring a packed lunch and warm clothes in case we go outdoors.
Suitable for
- 7-10
- 11-13
- 14-15
Admission
£15 for the three days. Places are restricted to 15 participants, so please book to avoid disappointment. http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/event/6768802671/culture24
Website
Rachel Flynn: ‘The exultant strangeness of this place’
Considered by many to be a bastion of British (or English) national culture, Graham Sutherland (1903-1980) spent much of his career working in the ‘other’ places and spaces of west Wales and the south of France. This talk will consider his response to these landscapes which he celebrated for their ‘exultant strangeness’, revelling in their alien nature while simultaneously feeling that he was completely at home, ‘as much part of the earth as my features were part of me.’
When
4-6pm
Admission
Tickets £9 / £6 ‘Friends’. Booking essential http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/event/6767992247/culture24
Website
http://www.abbothall.org.uk/event/rachel-flynn-%E2%80%98-exultant-strangeness-place%E2%80%99
Digital Exploration
Explore the new exhibition with digital technology, discover art in a new way and manipulate it so it makes sense to you. Tours are aimed at the whole family and will last no longer than 45 minutes.
Suitable for
- Any age
When
4-4:45pm
Admission
Free with admission, booking essential. http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/event/6768413507/culture24
Website
Digital Exploration
Explore the new exhibition with digital technology, discover art in a new way and manipulate it so it makes sense to you. Tours are aimed at the whole family and will last no longer than 45 minutes.
Suitable for
- Any age
When
12-12:45pm
Admission
Free with admission, booking essential. http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/event/6768413507/culture24
Website
Digital Exploration
Explore the new exhibition with digital technology, discover art in a new way and manipulate it so it makes sense to you. Tours are aimed at the whole family and will last no longer than 45 minutes.
Suitable for
- Any age
When
2-2:45pm
Admission
Free with admission, booking essential. http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/event/6768413507/culture24
Website
Ian Massey: Keith Vaughan and the Neo-Romantics
Although associated during this period with Neo-Romantic artists such as Graham Sutherland and John Minton, Vaughan followed an increasingly isolated path, taking inspiration from the late bathers of Cézanne, the cubism of Picasso and George Braque. Talk with Q&A.
Suitable for
- Any age
When
4-6pm
Admission
Tickets £9.00 / £6.00 ‘Friends’. Booking essential http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/event/6768014313/culture24
Website
http://www.abbothall.org.uk/event/ian-massey-keith-vaughan-and-neo-romantics
Amy Concannon: Inspired by Landscapes
Amy Concannon explores artists inspired by landscapes. Amy is Assistant Curator for art of the period 1790–1850 at Tate Britain. Previously she worked as Assistant Curator and Exhibitions Officer at Dulwich Picture Gallery and prior to this, she spent three years as a member of the curatorial team at the Wordsworth Trust, Grasmere. She has an MA in eighteenth-century drawing from the Courtauld Institute of Art, for which she wrote a dissertation on the watercolours of Richard Westall. Booking essential - http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/event/6768036379/culture24
Suitable for
- 16-17
- 18+
- Not suitable for children
When
4-4pm
Admission
Tickets £9.00 / £6.00 ‘Friends’.
Website
http://www.abbothall.org.uk/event/amy-concannon-inspired-landscapes
Surreal Sounds & Surroundings
Help us transform the gallery landscape into something totally weird during Mintfest. Join our artist extraordinaire and get inspired by Graham Sutherland’s landscapes on show in Abbot Hall Art Gallery. You might create new trees, creatures, sounds and buildings, or you may simply adapt what is already there! Join them in the mARTquee outside, where you can shelter from the rain or find shade from the sun, but whatever the weather, you will have a surreally good time!
Suitable for
- Any age
When
1-5pm
Website
http://www.abbothall.org.uk/event/surreal-sounds-surroundings
Surreal Sounds & Surroundings
Help us transform the gallery landscape into something totally weird during Mintfest. Join our artist extraordinaire and get inspired by Graham Sutherland’s landscapes on show in Abbot Hall Art Gallery. You might create new trees, creatures, sounds and buildings, or you may simply adapt what is already there! Join them in the mARTquee outside, where you can shelter from the rain or find shade from the sun, but whatever the weather, you will have a surreally good time!
Suitable for
- Any age
When
1-5pm
Website
http://www.abbothall.org.uk/event/surreal-sounds-surroundings
Red Shoes
This Powell & Pressburger classic film is part of our season inspired by exhibition films. Use your ticket to get entry into Abbot Hall to see Exultant Strangeness: Graham Sutherland Landscapes anytime during the exhibition.
When
8-9:30pm
Where
Breweray Arts Centre
Kendal
Cumrbia
Admission
All tickets £5.00 purchased from Brewery Arts Centre box office 01539 725133.
www.breweryarts.co.uk
Website
Alice Lowe comedy performance & Sightseers screening
Actress, comedian and star of Sightseers is coming to Abbot Hall with her new folk performance and will be performing it in the gallery. This will be followed up with a screening of cult hit Sightseers at The Brewery Arts Centre, with a brief introduction by Alice Lowe.
Suitable for
- 18+
When
5:30-9pm
Admission
Ticket £15, booking essential - http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/event/6768080511/culture24
Website
http://www.abbothall.org.uk/event/alice-lowe-comedy-performance-sightseers-screening
Heritage Open Days: Walking tour of Sutherland
Beat the busy crowds and enjoy a curator-led tour of the Exultant Strangeness exhibition.
When
9:30-10:30am
Admission
FREE event, booking essential http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/event/6768162757/culture24
Website
http://www.abbothall.org.uk/event/heritage-open-days-walking-tour-sutherland
- About
- | Collections
- | Exhibitions
- | Events
- | Map
