LS Lowry exhibition challenges 'naive and uncultured' label
Opening on 24 October at MK Gallery in Milton Keynes, the exhibition 'LS Lowry: the Theatre of Life' showcases 140 artworks aimed at dispelling myths surrounding the Manchester artist. Co-curator Anthony Spira points out that Lowry, contrary to popular belief, was not self-taught; he attended art college and had a passion for opera and theatre. Among the highlights is the seldom-seen 1932 piece 'A Football Match', which hasn't been exhibited in almost 85 years. This event marks the 50th anniversary of Lowry's passing and underscores his varied artistic contributions beyond industrial themes. Earlier this year, the BBC aired 'LS Lowry: The Unheard Tapes', featuring newly found interviews. In 2022, Lowry's iconic 'Going to the Match' sold for £7.8m.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'LS Lowry: the Theatre of Life' opens on 24 October at MK Gallery in Milton Keynes.
- The show features 140 paintings by LS Lowry.
- Co-curator Anthony Spira says Lowry is wrongly derided as 'naive and uncultured'.
- Lowry spent years at art college, attended opera and theatre, and collected art by Pre-Raphaelites, Jacob Epstein, and Lucian Freud.
- The 1932 painting 'A Football Match' will be displayed for the first time in nearly 85 years.
- The last time 'A Football Match' was shown was at the Royal Academy a decade after it was painted.
- Lowry painted Manchester City against Sheffield United in 1938, but usually composed scenes from multiple sources.
- The exhibition coincides with the 50th anniversary of Lowry's death.
- BBC film 'LS Lowry: The Unheard Tapes' featured interviews from 1972 by Angela Barratt, discovered after her death in 2022.
- Lowry's 'Going to the Match' was bought for £7.8m in 2022 by the Lowry arts centre in Salford.
Entities
Artists
- LS Lowry
- Jacob Epstein
- Lucian Freud
- Sir Ian McKellen
- L.S. Lowry
- Adolphe Valette
- Ian McKellen
Institutions
- MK Gallery
- Royal Academy
- Tate
- Tate Britain
- Lowry arts centre
- BBC
- The Guardian
- The Lowry
- Royal Academy of Arts
- Crane Kalman Gallery
- Alex Reid & Lefevre Gallery
- Municipal College of Art
- Salford School of Art
Locations
- Manchester
- Milton Keynes
- England
- Salford
- North of England
- United Kingdom
- Greater Manchester
- Stretford
- Lancashire
- London
- Berwick
- Cheshire
- northwest England