RSVP: Contemporary Artists at the Foundling
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
LONDON’S original public art gallery is holding its first major contemporary art show since 1740. RSVP: Contemporary Artists at the Foundling runs from September 28 to November 18, 2007.
Fifteen contemporary artists from the East of England have been invited to create works inspired by the art and social history collections at London’s Foundling Museum. Their responses – including a cascade of kinetic sculpture, a wallpaper of children’s names, and a lollipop opera based on Handel’s Foundling Anthem – will be on display for seven weeks.
The RSVP artists are Matt Cook, Tom Cox-Bisham, Lorrice Douglas, Sandra Flower, David Kefford, Simon Liddiment, Nicola Naismith, Alex Pearl, Emily Russell and Kristian De La Riva, Sarah Sabin, Rob Smith, Townley and Bradby, and Zory – Farngis Shahrokhi.
They are all participants on Arts Council England East’s Escalator Visual Arts programme, initiated and developed by Commissions East.
Originally created as a home for abandoned children by philanthropist Thomas Coram, the Foundling Hospital became London’s first public gallery, thanks to the inspiration of artist William Hogarth, one of the founding governors.
Curator Gill Hedley, previously Director of the Contemporary Art Society, says, “I have long been fascinated by the Foundling story, not least because artists at the time the Foundling Hospital was set up supported the charity as well as cleverly creating a platform for their own works of art.”
The Foundling Museum, which cared for more than 27,000 children between 1739 and 1953, tells the story of the foundlings and displays many poignant objects relating to their lives at the Hospital.
For more information call 020 7841 3600 or visit the website.
The Foundling Museum, 40 Brunswick Square, London, WC1N 1AZ.
Times: Tuesday to Saturday – 10am to 6pm; Sunday – 12 to 6pm.
Admission: £5, Concessions £4, children up to 16 years free.