ART lovers may well enjoy a trip over the tops for the latest exhibition at Gallery Oldham.
For the gallery is presenting a selection of landscapes from its extensive permanent collection.
Called ‘Looking at Landscape: Pastoral to Present’ explores the development of the painting style from the late 1700s to the present and includes some of the greatest artists in Gallery Oldham’s collection, from JMW Turner to Terry Frost and Andy Goldsworthy.
As well as paintings the exhibition, which runs from now until April, includes drawing, sculpture and photography.
It also features a monumental abstract pastel drawing by Huddersfield-born David Blackburn.
Visitors will be able to view old favourites and more recent additions, plus works that have rarely been on display in recent years.
Some of the best artists to emerge from the Oldham area have painted landscapes and the show includes works by James Purdy and well-known local artist John McCombs, who is based in Saddleworth.
A highlight is a new acquisition from painter Helen Bradley. This is one of five works given to the gallery just before Christmas through The Art Fund.
The newest piece in the collection is a major ceramic work by Ewen Henderson which has just been purchased with a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Also featured are Oldham’s famous Lees Collection of watercolours, given by the industrialist Charles Edward Lees.
These include important paintings by John Robert Cozens and John Constable.
The borough’s most famous artist, William Stott from Oldham, explored landscape all his life and one of his paintings is included for people to enjoy.
The exhibition traces the development of landscape painting in the 20th century with artists from the Newlyn School in Cornwall, such as Julius Olsson and Henry Herbert La Thangue.
The abstract artists of the mid 20th Century transformed approaches to landscape painting and Oldham has a fine collection of paintings from the 1960s by artists working in Cornwall, including Terry Frost, Alexander Mackenzie, Sandra Blow and Harry Ousey.
More recent works include a sculpture by land artist Andy Goldsworthy and paintings by Oldham-born painter Alan Rankle which reference the historic pastoral tradition with a contemporary twist.
The exhibition also includes photography including an unusual panoramic photographic landscape by Gayle Kwong Chang.
Clr Barbara Brownridge, Cabinet Member for Co-operatives and Community Development in Oldham, said: “Looking at Landscape really demonstrates the quality of Gallery Oldham’s collection.
“With such a range of work by major artists across three centuries there really is something for everyone.
“It’s also a great pleasure that Gallery Oldham can bring out works that haven’t been seen for many years – and to show off some wonderful new acquisitions.”
