Biography
Leeds Art Gallery, part of Leeds Museums and Galleries, was established in 1888. It is home to one of the most significant collections of twentieth-century British art in the UK. From its inception the gallery has focused on acquiring contemporary work, resulting in a rich collection of 19th and 20th-century British painting. The collection boasts important works by eminent figures such as Francis Bacon , Sir Jacob Epstein, Dame Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore. Recent acquisitions have included works by Dame Paula Rego, Bridget Riley and Georgina Starr . Through the support of the Henry Moore Foundation over the last twenty years, Leeds has assembled a renowned collection of modern British sculpture, including works by Richard Wilson , Antony Gormley Alison Wilding RA and Bill Woodrow.
The gallery participated in the Contemporary Art Society Special Collection Scheme (1997-2004) to develop its collection to feature contemporary installation and film work. Recent acquisitions have included major works by Tacita Dean RA and Mark Wallinger. Leeds hosts a number of temporary exhibitions displaying a variety of contemporary works in conjunction with the changing displays of its permanent collection.
