Art for free
Sometimes you can find great art for free in the most unexpected of places. Here are our favourites on the network this summer.
Northallerton
Joe Cornish Galleries
One of Britain's leading landscape photographers, Joe Cornish is
drawn to the coasts, mountains and wilder reaches of Britain,
always with an eye to light and patterns. The galleries in Zetland
Street showcase his own work, as well as changing exhibitions of
other landscape photographers.
Info: joecornish.com, 0160 977 7404
Middlesbrough
Temenos
Is it a windsock or a giant basketball net? Does it really
matter, if it grabs your attention? This summer, get on down to
Middlehaven Dock in Middlesbrough and decide for yourself.
This amazing sculpture - 110m long by 45m high - is by
world-renowned artist Anish Kapoor and structural designer Cecil
Balmond and has only just opened. Two steel rings joined by a mesh
of steel wires, it's a breathtaking combination of art and
engineering. Afterwards, pop into mima in Centre Square, the town's
landmark modern art gallery, and enjoy one of the UK's best
collections of contemporary art.
Info: visitmiddlesbrough.com, visitmima.com,
0164 272 6720
Manchester
The Lowry, Salford Quays
The building alone is worth the visit: a flamboyant mix of glass
and steel rising out of Salford's revamped docks. As well as
theatres and studios, there are exhibitions of art, photography and
design, alongside a permanent collection by LS Lowry. This summer
also sees Stanley Tunick's Everyday People - film and photography
of his groups of naked volunteers, captured in Greater Manchester
locations until the end of September. Take a Metrolink tram to
Harbour City, Salford.
Info: thelowry.com,0843 208 6000
Glasgow
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
From woolly mammoths to Dali, this monumental Victorian gallery
is weird - in a good way. Check out the Charles Rennie Mackintosh
gallery, the Scottish colourists, Italian Renaissance art and
glass, and the fun 'Every Picture Tells A Story' section. There's
loads more, plus daily organ recitals - with requests! Walk from
Central Station to Kelvin Park, or hop on the subway to Kelvinhall
or Kelvinbridge underground stations.
Info: glasgowmuseums.com, 0141 276 9599
Hull
Seven Seas Fish Trail
Go fishing, without getting wet. Cunningly hidden around Hull's
old town centre and along the river are 41 life-size fishy
sculptures, from a blink-and-you'll-miss-it anchovy to a 10ft ray.
The clue is often in the location. If there's a shark outside a
bank, guess what might be in the marketplace? Fish on your own or
pick up a leaflet from Hull's Tourist Information Centre.
Info: realyorkshire.co.uk, Hull TIC - 0844 811
2070
Edinburgh
National Gallery Complex
This is the place to celeb-spot. From Titian, El Greco, Raphael,
Rubens and Rembrandt up to Van Gogh, Monet, Cézanne and Gaugin, all
the greats jostle under one roof. Don't forget to seek out
that much-loved Scottish charmer, Sir Henry Raeburn's the Skating
Minister. You'll find the National Gallery on The Mound, near
Edinburgh Waverley station.
Info: nationalgalleries.org, 0131 624 6200
GOING LOCAL
Three artists who live or work on the network
Jolomo
The signature of John Lowrie Morrison, 'Jolomo' is one of
Scotland's most prolific landscape painters, known for his intense
use of colour. Born and brought up in Glasgow, and studying at the
Glasgow School of
Art, he now lives and works in Argyll, close to the west coast,
whose spectacular light inspires his work.
Info: jolomo.com
Julian Cooper
Born in Grasmere, near Windermere, Julian Cooper is part of the
Heaton Cooper artistic dynasty, the Lake District's best-loved
painters. Julian himself is inspired by landscapes and rocks, and
the power, grace and mysticism of mountains.
Info: heatoncooper.co.uk
Jane Charles
For an array of vividly coloured, sensuously shaped glassware,
check out Jane Charles' glass studio in Newcastle. Inspired by nature and the sea,
Jane produces one-off pieces that are free-blown before being hand-
finished when cold. Each one is a unique piece of art.
Info: janecharlesstudioglass.co.uk