The McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery & Museum
From Saturday, 11 February 2023
The latest exhibition at McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery & Museum will open on Saturday (11 February 2023). 'What's New: Recent Additions to Dundee's Fine Art Collection' includes a major sculpture installation by Doug Cocker, a rare studio portrait by John Duncan and work by Joan Eardley, Alberta Whittle and Katie Paterson, amongst many other artists.
Dundee's fine art collection is recognised as of national significance to Scotland by Museum Galleries Scotland. It was established in 1874 when three local collectors gifted paintings to the City. Today the collection spans four centuries of production by artists working in Britain and Europe. At its heart is a superb collection of nineteenth and twentieth-century Scottish painting. The collection continues to grow, and this exhibition reflects the last decade of acquisitions and additions.
Susan Keracher, Curator for Fine Art at The McManus, explains,
"All additions to the art collection - whether donated or purchased - are carefully considered against our collecting policy to ensure that they complement and enrich the wider collection. If we already have holdings by an artist, any potential acquisition is assessed to ensure that it offers some new aspect of their creativity."
“One of Dundee’s most celebrated artists, James McIntosh Patrick, is already strongly represented in the collection. An example of his little known portrait practice deepens existing holdings in a significant way. Where there are gaps, we strive to acquire examples that best represent an artist's practice. An important addition to the collection is The Plural, a major sculpture installation by Doug Cocker."
The McManus has always supported living artists by exhibiting and buying contemporary work. New acquisitions by Katie Paterson, Alberta Whittle and Jonny Lyons share a distinct sense of individuality and helps them to interpret the existing permanent collection in new ways. These works add to the significant collection of contemporary art acquired since 1999 through different collecting initiatives. These include the National Collecting Scheme for Scotland, the Contemporary Art Society's Acquisition scheme, and presentations by Outset Scotland.
The most recent donation arrived only a few weeks ago. A group of prints was transferred to The McManus through Dundee Printmakers Workshop.
Susan adds
"We remain grateful to the selfless generosity of donors who, through gift or bequest, continue to enhance Dundee's art collection.”
“New additions ensure that the collection remains alive, relevant, reflects contemporary concerns and the lives we lead today. We are working to improve the representation of work by artists from historically marginalised groups to ensure that our collection better reflects the diversity of our community."
The exhibition is free to visit and opens on Saturday, 11 February 2023.