A visit to the Wolverhampton Art Gallery on the August Bank Holiday Monday
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On the August Bank Holiday Monday, 28th August 2023, I travelled to Wolverhampton, by train, for a visit to the Wolverhampton Art Gallery. Free entry. The entrance now on the side via St Peter's Walk. One early highlight was seeing the Maquette of King Kong. There was also a see-saw sculpture on the first floor. After a look around, had coffee and lunch in the Glaze cafe.
Wolverhampton Art Gallery was funded and built by Philip Horsman (1825-1890). It opened in 1884. The two storey building was designed by Birmingham architect Julius Chatwin (1829-1907). The Victorian building is Grade II* listed, and a modern extension later built in 2006-07, along with a refurbishment.
As of 2023, the main entrance on Lichfield Street is closed, it is an emergency exit only. The entrance is now near St Peter's Gardens on St Peter's Walk.
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A portrait of local businessman, Philip Horsman, who founded Wolverhampton Art Gallery in 1885. It was painted by George Phoenix (1863-1935).
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The main staircase from the hallway, has a mixture of art from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. It leads up to the galleries on the first floor.
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Likeness Guaranteed by David Mach (b.1956), made in 1995. Welded metal coathangers.
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Standing Relief VI 1958 by Frederick Edward McWilliam (1909-1992), made in 1972. Bronze.
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St Cecilia by Atri Cecil Brown (1906-1982) dates to the 1940s. Bronze.
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King Kong by Nicholas Monro (1936 - 2022). Fibreglass maquette of King Kong made in 1971.
The full-sized replica stood for six months in Birmingham City Centre, during 1972, before being sold. A replica of the 20ft full-sized sculpture could be seen in the pop-up 'King Kong Park' during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. The replica was created by 3D scanning this maquette.
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End of Empire, 2016. By Yinka Shonibare CBE (b. 1962). Mixed media. Commemorates one hundred years since the First World War. Two figurative sculptures dressed in clothing of 19th century aristocrats sit on a 'see-saw'.
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This is the new main entrance from St Peter's Walk. Straight ahead is the gift shop. Plus a lot of helpful staff.
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Adam by Sir Charles Wheeler (1892-1974). Dates to the mid 1900s. Bronze.
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Rock Form (Porthcurno) by Dame Barbara Hepworth DBE (1903-1975). Made in 1964. Bronze, Edition of 6. Cast No. 5. On loan from the Royal Bank of Scotland.
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This is our Love and it Knows no Division. An exhibition presenting works by fifteen British artists in response to ‘the beautiful game’. Art in this room related to football.
Some objects from Joe Lycett. Including a magazine with David Beckham on the cover that he shredded on TV.
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Community Picks. Things in this room for kids to play with on their visit. Saw a large Campbells Condensed Tomato Soup can. Was also a frieze on the wall to the right.
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Old Masters. 18th century paintings, on this room on the first floor. Was also a piano in here. Probably used for functions or events.
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Another gallery on the first floor. Various objects, and paintings dating to the 19th century. One in the middle had an image of Dante on it.
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A mixture of modern art in this first floor gallery. One painting from 2020 reminds you of the pandemic with the face masks.
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After a look around the art gallery, it was time to check out Glaze the Eating Space at the Gallery. I first had a coffee, as it was before 12pm, wasn't too busy then. Then after noon I ordered a sandwich, which came with salad. Got a bit more busier with families by then.
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Hope you enjoyed this look around Wolverhampton Art Gallery.
Photography by Elliott Brown