Latest News
2018 at The Lightbox Gallery and Museum, more than just a gallery
8th November 2017
Whether you are passionate about art and history, seeking fun activities for all the family or looking for a great night out with comedy, film and food, then look no further than The Lightbox – where there really is something for everyone.
2018 promises a stellar line up in the Main Gallery with no less than three blockbuster exhibitions to enjoy: including ‘Turner in Surrey’ (until 4 March 2018), Picasso: Paper & Clay (17 March 2018 – 24 June 2018) and Picturing the Everyday: French Impressionism & Post-Impressionism (29 September 2018 – 13 January 2019). A further 15 – 20 visual art exhibitions of local and national importance will be shown including works from The Ingram Collection of Modern British and Contemporary Art, heritage displays linked to ‘Woking’s Story’ our interactive museum, talks, tours and workshops for people of all ages. The Lightbox strives to be a cultural hub that is much more than just a gallery for the local region and beyond.
Picasso fans of all ages will be in for a treat this year with a fantastic programme of events ‘Celebrating Picasso’ which showcase’s and celebrates the life and works of one of the most influential artists of the 20th century including; the photographic exhibition from Lee Miller titled Picasso Portraits (14 April 2018 – 17 June 2018) in the Upper Gallery and ‘Four days of Picasso’ (10 April – 29 April 2018) in the Art Fund Prize Gallery – a never seen before collection of informal photographs of Picasso with his friends and family at home in the South of France.
2018 at The Lightbox in more detail…
‘Turner in Surrey’ explores, for the first time ever J.M.W. Turner’s work produced on his various travels, stops and periods of residence on the Thames, Wey Navigation and in the county of Surrey, prior to the London boundary changes of 1889. The exhibition features open air sketches highlighting his swiftness of hand and the changing effects of nature which will sit alongside finished works. Until 4 March 2018, Main Gallery.
Following Turner, spring kick off the season of Picasso with an exciting exhibition featuring experimentation with drawing, printmaking and ceramics entitled Picasso: Paper & Clay (17 March 2018 – 24 June 2018). Renowned for his insatiable curiosity and tireless urge for creativity the work spans almost seven decades of the artist’s life. In addition Picasso fans will be further delighted by the photographic exhibition Lee Miller: Picasso Portraits (14 April 2018 – 17 June 2018) in the Upper Gallery. Exploring the works of the American photographer Lee Miller (1907-1977) who met Pablo Picasso whilst they were both holidaying in the South of France. Miller photographed the artist, beginning a series which she continued for more than thirty years, and eventually grew to over a thousand images.
The Upper Gallery also boasts some fantastic exhibitions including The Ingram Collection: Picturing People (20 January 2018 – 1 April 2018) which will feature portraits and self-portraits from The Ingram Collection. From wives and husbands, to mythological characters and celebrities, the exhibition will explore over 100 years’ work.
The Main Gallery over summer will showcase young contemporary talent from the fast growing Ingram Collection in Ingram Young Contemporaries: The Ingram Collection (7 July 2018 – 16 September 2018). The exhibition will feature now established as well as some of the most exciting up and coming artists such as Haroon Mirza, Emma Vidal, Douglas Cantor Ramirez and Chloe Wing. Cutting edge paintings, sculpture, film and installation will all feature.
Over the summer in the Upper Gallery will be something to delight those interested in gleaning a historical insight into life in the borough during the 1920s and 1930s. The photographic exhibition: Sydney Francis in the 1920s and 1930s (14 July 2018 – 7 October 2018), will share photographic work of Sidney Francis (1891-1973) from a collection from The Surrey History Centre. Highlights include significant events such as Eid celebrations and visits of American war widows. Local landmarks and street views are also represented.
Summer will also see the return of the infamous Summer Family Fun Festival the first week of the summer holidays (24th July – Fri 27 July 2018). The packed week will include family drop-in activities and bookable children’s workshops every afternoon to keep the little ones entertained over the school holidays.
The finale in the Main Gallery will bring yet another blockbuster exhibition of national significance, Picturing the Everyday: French Impressionism & Post-Impressionism (29 September 2018 – 13 January 2019). Here the focus is on the depiction of the everyday world, a core theme that underpins most French Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art. Split into four key themes; Domestic Life, Entertainment, Leisure and Work. The exhibition will include examples of works by Paul Cézanne, Edgar Degas, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Camille Pissarro, Paul Gaugin and Auguste Rodin.
At the end of the year the Upper Gallery will be Remembering Frink: The Ingram Collection: (20 October 2018 – 6 January 2019). It has been 25 Years since the death of Elisabeth Frink and with over 30 works in The Ingram Collection, Elisabeth Frink is Chris Ingram’s favourite artist. A leading sculptor in post-war Britain, she trained at Guildford School of Art. Renowned worldwide for her figurative work, Frink conveyed emotion, vulnerability and aggression through powerful artworks, exploring nature and humanity with her unique blend of tenderness and brutality.
In addition to the exhibition programme there will be a number of special events in 2018 and on 20th – 27th April the Lightbox is delighted to see the return of the Literary Festival following the success of last year’s event. This year’s programme will boast an array of exciting authors not to mention the return of the popular poetry slam in the café. Highlights will include: The return of Alison Weir talking about her new book, Jane Seymour, The Haunted Queen. Alistair Sooke will host a discussion about JMW Turner and Franny Moyle will be talking about her Turner biography – both events are to complement the Turner in Surrey exhibition in the Main Gallery.
For those unable to enjoy all that the Lightbox has to offer during week days why not drop in to our Lightbox Lates every Thursday – open till 9.30pm. With comedy, film nights and delicious food and wine from the award winning Seasons café it is even easier to appreciate all The Lightbox has to offer.
J.M.W. Turner (1775-1851), View of Richmond Hill and Bridge, 1808, oil paint on canvas © Tate, London 2016
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Head of a Woman, 1926) © Robert and Lisa Sainsbury Collection, Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, University of East Anglia
Elisabeth Frink (1930-1993) Wounded Horse, 1989, Acrylic on paper © The Estate of Elisabeth Frink
Jacob Epstein (1880-1959) Italian Peasant Woman, 1907 Bronze © The Estate of Jacob Epstein
Suki Chan (1977), Tomorrow is our Permanent Address, 2008 Video installation © The Artist
Sidney Francis (1891-1973) Sailor’s Wedding, c. 1920s, digital print from a glass plate negative, reproduced by permission of Surrey History Centre (SHC ref 9524)
