Truth and Beauty celebrates the remarkable life of the British art patron and collector, Helen Sutherland and explores the importance of her early patronage of artists – such as Ben Nicholson, Winifred Nicholson, and David Jones – within the context of the development of modern British art in the early 1930s.
In 1925, Sutherland met Ben and Winifred Nicholson, buying two of their paintings and, in doing so, embarked on a journey of patronage to several emerging artists at the time. Between 1929 and 1939 she leased Rock Hall, near Alnwick in Northumberland, effectively as a sanctuary away from London for her burgeoning circle of artist friends. She was one of few women to be supporting these artists at a time when the art world establishment was still somewhat reluctant to engage with modern art and its creators. Her tastes were eclectic and brave; she bought art few others would.
Truth and Beauty features a number of seldom displayed loans drawn from private collections that span the entire duration of the time Sutherland collected art, with works by Ben Nicholson, Winifred Nicholson, David Jones, Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore, Alfred Wallis, Wilhelmina Barns-Graham and The Ashington Group.
Guided Tours
You can join us for a guided tour of the Truth and Beauty exhibition on 8 October 2022. The tour is 1 hour approx in duration and starts at 12.30pm and is free of charge. Please note that you must book a place in advance. For more details, visit the Guided Tours info and booking page here.
Truth and Beauty – The 20th Century British Art of Pioneering Collector Helen Sutherland has been supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and The Joicey Trust.
Click HERE to purchase the Truth and Beauty exhibition catalogue.
School Visits
Welcoming schools to visit our galleries is important to us as part of our learning and outreach programme and there may be the occasional school visits taking place in the galleries between Tuesday to Friday during opening times.
If you would prefer to avoid these times, please contact Maltings Box Office to check if a school visit is taking place, when you plan to visit. Alternatively, schools will not be in the gallery after 3pm.