The Modern British collection has an impressive group of works by the artists Gwen John, Stanley Spencer, David Bomberg, Henry Moore and Frank Auerbach.
The Graves Art Gallery recently won the Contemporary Art Society’s Annual Award Commission to Collect. They will commission a major new work by artist Katherina Šedá.
The decorative art collection includes pottery from
local factories such as Rockingham and Pinxton, as well as examples from Worcester, Derby, Wedgwood and Leeds. The gallery’s collection of metalwork charts the influence and history of the famous Sheffield-based industry. The gallery has always shown temporary exhibitions alongside permanent displays, a policy established by its first director, John Rothenstein, who later went on to become director of Tate.
Editor’s note:
Right at the heart of the city, the Graves Museum and Art Gallery is situated above a library. At first this feels as though it might disappoint, tucked away without any front to the street – how wrong! Step inside through the 1930s marble reception area and the elegant upper galleries are beautifully maintained. A visit to the gallery must be part of your visit to Sheffield.