Supporting British Art
The Arts Council Collection supports and promotes British art and artists by acquiring their work at an early or critical stage in their career. With a focus on innovative work made by artists living in Britain our acquisitions policy is characterised by a spirit of risk taking combined with an informed appraisal of current practice. The Arts Council Collection continues to grow through the purchase of new work, 45 works by 29 artists were acquired for the nation in 2016-2017.
HIghlights
Among the highlights are significant works by Phyllida Barlow (untitled: dunce, 2015), Andy Holden (Laws of Motion in a Cartoon Landscape, 2011-16), Aleksandra Mir (ISS 0004, 2016) and Yinka Shonibare (The Crowning, 2007).
Phyllida Barlow
b. 1944, Newcastle upon Tyne. Lives and works in London.
Andy Holden
b. 1982, Bedfordshire. Lives and works in Bedfordshire.
Aleksandra Mir
b. 1967, Lubin. Lives and works in London.
Yinka Shonibare
b. 1962, London. Lives and works in London.
Artist donations
It was a noteworthy year for artists generously gifting major works to be seen in galleries around the country:
Phyllida Barlow, who this year will represent Britain in the Venice Biennale, gifted two drawings - untitled: cementpost, 2015
and untitled: frames, 2015
Simon Starling’s Project for a Rift Valley Crossing, 2015-16 was acquired for the collection thanks to a bequest from the estate of Elfrida Louise Thornton.
Oscar Murillo donated his painting catalyst #13, 2016
Matthew Darbyshire and Ryan Mosley also gifted works, as did the estates of Jacqueline Morreau and Joanna Price
Acquisitions committee
The Arts Council Collection supports and promotes British art and artists by buying their work at an early or critical stage in their career. All the artists acquired have demonstrated innovative practices across a varied range of media.
The Acquisitions committee also purchased two mixed-media works by Simeon Barclay, An Arrangement on Blue (Swamp Rat Skank), 2015
and Handicap, 2016
Seamus Harahan’s Cold Open (Version 1), 2014
a trio of works by London-based Mawuena Kattah
and Charlotte Prodger’s BRIDGIT, 2016
New Acquisitions 2016-2017
Joanna Piotrowska
Sean Edwards
Sophie Michael
Karl Ohiri
Tim Etchells
Gareth Griffith
Aleksandra Mir
Ryan Mosley
Stuart Middleton
Denzil Forrester
Larry Achiampong & David Blandy
Ciara Phillips
Rana Begum
Amalia Pica
Mark Aerial Waller
Andrea Luka Zimmerman
