The Laing Art Gallery to Show 'Summer Heat to Winter Freeze'

Written by Gavin Sherbourne Thursday, 19 January 2012 23:52

Newcastle, UK.- the Laing Art Gallery is pleased to present "Summer Heat to Winter Freeze", on view from January 21st through February 19th. The exhibition comprises a selection of 19th and 20th-century paintings from the Laing collection. The changing light and colours of the landscape at different seasons have fascinated many artists. The pictures on display show how artists have attempted to capture springtime freshness, summer heat, autumn breeziness, and the chill of winter. Many artists set up their easels in the fields and woods to make studies of the varying effects of light, recording sun breaking through clouds and sparkling on water. Others explored the special quality of light on snow or the intense colours created by blazing summer sun. Some painters focused on mood, ranging from the uplifting quality of sunshine to the melancholy of the end of a winter’s day. Seasonal change also affects people’s daily lives, and this was particularly true in the 19th century. For some, summer sunshine brings relaxation and enjoyment. For others, it has meant backbreaking work in the fields.


The Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle upon Tyne, England is located on New Bridge Street. It was opened in 1904 and is now managed by Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums and sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The gallery holds oil paintings, watercolours and Newcastle silver. In the early 1880s, Newcastle was the greatest glass producer in the world and enamelled glasses by William Beilby are on view along with ceramics (including Maling pottery), and diverse contemporary works by emerging UK artists. It has a programme of regularly rotating exhibitions and has free entry. The Laing is home to an impressive collection of art and sculpture and its exhibition programme is renowned for bringing the biggest names in historic, modern and contemporary art to the North East. The gallery boasts an extensive collection of paintings by John Martin, including the dramatic "The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah", as well as important works by Sir Joshua Reynolds, Edward Burne-Jones ("Laus Veneris"), Holman Hunt ("Isabella and the Pot of Basil"), Ben Nicholson and others. There is also an extensive collection of 18th- and 19th-century watercolours and drawings, including work by J M W Turner, John Sell Cotman an others. The Gallery has a packed programme of free events which include gallery talks, family activities and artists’ events. There are events throughout the year including talks from leading contemporary artists and fun activities for families. Many of these events, like the gallery, are free of charge.

The works on show change regularly to show the impressive range of art in the collection so please contact the gallery if you wish to see a particular piece of work. The Gallery also has a shop and cafe. Visit the museum's website at ... http://www.twmuseums.org.uk/laing

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