A series of rarely seen works of art have attracted a record-breaking 10,663 visitors to a prestigious Lowry exhibition at the University’s Djanogly Art Gallery.
In just four weeks, the exclusive exhibition – featuring works from private collections on public display together for the first time  – has broken Lakeside Arts Centre’s box office records.
Vice-Chancellor Professor David Greenaway said: “The number of visitors to Lakeside is a demonstration of the national importance of this unique retrospective of Lowry’s work. We are honoured to be able to host such a landmark exhibition at the University.”
The free exhibition focuses on Lowry’s work from the 1920s to the mid 1950s, and features a large number of drawings, many of which have never been exhibited as a collection before.
Lowry famously sketched on whatever was at hand, smudging and rubbing at his pencil lines to add depth. The exhibition features drawings ranging from the most cursory of sketches on the back of an envelope to fully realised studies for later paintings. Towards the end of his life, Lowry largely stopped painting, but continued drawing.
“We’re absolutely thrilled with the response to this unique Lowry exhibition which includes over 90 beautiful drawings and paintings which have never before been seen in one exhibition,” said Shona Powell, Lakeside Director. “Many visitors have said they’ll come more than once, and since we’re open 27 – 31 December, noon to 4pm, there’s a terrific opportunity for people who have already enjoyed the show to return with family or friends who are in Nottingham for Christmas celebrations.”
The previous best-attended exhibition was The American Scene Prints: From Hopper to Pollock in 2010, which attracted 9,807 visitors in seven weeks.
Exhibition curator Neil Walker added: “The Lowry exhibition has been incredibly popular so far and we’re sure that this will continue until February. The success so far is testament to the quality of this exhibition, which we are so privileged to have here in Nottingham.”
The exhibition has also attracted school parties from across the county. Lakeside’s associate artists offer workshops. Other schools have had guided tours or self-led tours using Lakeside’s Art Investigator packs.
Learning Officer (Galleries) Ruth Lewis-Jones, who is also working with some creative writing MA students on a pilot Lowry Literacy project involving primary school children, said: “We are getting really booked up – the exhibition is just really popular.”
The exhibition has been organised in association with London’s Crane Kalman Gallery, and includes a loan of important works from The Lowry in Salford. It is generously supported by Sir Harry and Lady Djanogly and The Lowry Estate.It runs until Sunday 5 February.
Lakeside: Cultural Impact is a key project within the University’s new appeal, Impact: The Nottingham Campaign. Visit: http://tiny.cc/UoNImpact.