British Art 1900-1950

Mark Gertler, The Bokhara Coat, 1920

The very best of British art 1900 - 1950 will be on show at Touchstones Rochdale from the beginning of October.

Creative Tension: British Art 1900 - 1950 is a major exhibition that exploring the work of British artists in the first half of the twentieth century. It brings together over 130 paintings, sculptures and ceramics from Touchstones Rochdale's own collection and those of Gallery Oldham, the Harris Museum & Art Gallery, Preston and Bolton Museum & Art Gallery.

Creative Tension explores the idea that the history of British art from 1900 - 1950 has often been over-simplified and presented as a seamless progression from traditional figurative art to modern abstract art. In fact it is more complex, with artists producing work in different styles throughout the period, bringing with them 'creative tension' as the different styles, and their proponents, came into contact with each other.

During the first half of the 20th century, Lancashire's galleries, fuelled by large endowment funds and with civic pride at stake, vied with each other to build significant collections of work by the most important artists living in this country. This exhibition provides an opportunity to celebrate the rich collections which were created and are still added to today.

Works by famous artists such as LS Lowry, Ben Nicholson, Alfred Munnings, Jacob Epstein and Mark Gertler are on show alongside many remarkable works by less familiar names.

Creative Tension presents the many different styles of the period through a number of sections: The Turn of the Century; Impressionism in Britain; Artists' Colonies; Mainstream Modernists; The Avant-garde and Tradition; Studio Pottery in Britain; Surrealism in Britain; and Revival and Survival.

Speaking about the exhibition, Yvonne Hardman, Art Gallery Access Officer at Touchstones Rochdale, said: "This is a fantastic survey of the variety of British art produced in the first half of the twentieth century, which we are very pleased to have had the opportunity to collaborate on and now bring to Rochdale. It is a celebration of the excellent collections held in north-west galleries. As this will be the last opportunity to see this stunning exhibition in the region before it travels to the Fine Art Society in London early in 2006, it is a chance not to be missed."

"Touchstones Rochdale will also be adding a small display to the exhibition to highlight the work of the Middleton-born artist F.W. Jackson (1859 - 1918), which is held in the collection. Jackson's work compliments the exhibition as he was known for painting in an Impressionist style and also lived and worked in an artists' colony at Staithes, North Yorkshire".

The exhibition is accompanied by an audio guide and hands-on family activities. A visually stunning catalogue accompanies the exhibition, available in the shop priced £9.99.

An exhibition website www.creativetension.org.uk features activities and information about the exhibition and works on show.

Creative Tension is supported by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation Regional Museums Initiative, with additional funding from the Paul Mellon Centre. The Regional Museums Initiative (RMI) supports museums in providing appealing and important exhibition programmes across the country.

Touchstones Rochdale is located on the Esplanade in Rochdale town centre. The award winning Arts and Heritage Centre is open seven days a week, Monday to Friday 10am-5.30pm and Saturday and Sunday 11am-4.30pm. Entry is free, the Centre offers a museum, four art galleries, a heritage gallery, Tourist Information Centre, Local Studies centre, café and shop with regular events and workshops.

For further information ring 01706 864986 or visit www.rochdale.gov.uk/touchstones.