York Art Gallery

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Spot the L.S. Lowry’s, Turner or Hockney and surround yourself with some of the best ceramic art in the world at York Art Gallery, which has reopened after an £8 million transformation.

The development of the 19th century Grade 2* listed building has created 60% more exhibition space which includes a brand new mezzanine level which will house the Centre of Ceramic Art (CoCA) and expanded galleries that showcase major new installations and internationally important artwork.

The opening displays include almost 2,000 ceramic works, including star pieces by Grayson Perry, Bernard Leach, William Staite Murray, Felicity Aylieff, Lucie Rie, Hans Coper and Kate Malone. The gallery’s renowned Lycett Green collection of Italian Old Masters from the 14th to 18th century is also on display along with notable works by 20th century artists such as L.S. Lowry, Paul Nash, David Hockney and Stanley Spencer, as well as works by William Etty, York’s most famous artist.

The gallery’s new commissions include Manifest: ten thousand hours, by renowned ceramicist Clare Twomey, which sees 10,000 handmade slipcast ceramic bowls piled high in towering columns, Halo by artist Susie MacMurray, inspired by the gallery’s collection of Italian Renaissance altarpiece painting with its intricate gold leaf and The Lumber Room: Unimagined Treasures, curated and created by York-based artist Mark Hearld,

In addition to this, visitors can now enjoy fantastic local food from café no8 at the gallery, brand new customer facilities, a garden area that has never been opened up to the public before and an exciting new programme of activities and events.