Laura Knight at the Theatre
Paintings and drawings of the ballet and stage
19 July - 28 September

This summer has marked a welcome return to Nottingham for an exhibition by much-loved, locally born artist Dame Laura Knight (1877 – 1970). Laura Knight at the Theatre, a major body of works by the leading British Impressionist, will be on display at Nottingham Castle until 28 September and includes a number of pieces that have rarely, if ever, been exhibited before.

Knight’s long love affair with the theatre is captured in images that explore the splendour of costume and scenery, and most memorably, quiet moments backstage away from the public eye. Images of rehearsal studios, dressing rooms, the wings of the stage and curtain calls, underline her privileged position as an artist who sees more than the audience. As one of the most fashionable artists of her day, she had access to London’s glittering theatrical seasons and her resulting images of the ballet and the theatre are often bold, colourful and full of character.

To coincide with the exhibition a sequence of six paintings by the artist on the theme of Tennyson’s ‘Idylls of the King’ will also be on display. Thought to be the most significant known works created by Dame Laura Knight during the earliest part of her career around 1901, Nottingham City Council Museums & Galleries were able to purchase and save the works thanks to £20,600 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and a MLA / V&A Purchase Grant fund.

Exhibition organised by The Lowry, Salford and curated by Art Historian, Timothy Wilcox.

Images - Top: Dame Laura Knight, sketch of Karsavina in L’Oiseau de feu, 1919 - 20, oil on canvas. Private Collection. © Reproduced with permission of The Estate of Dame Laura Knight DBE RA 2008. All rights reserved. Photo © Sarah Colegrave Fine Art.

Bottom: Panels 2, 3 & 4

Styling Project I
19 July - 28 September

Drawing inspiration from portrait paintings in the Nottingham City Museums collection and picking up on the 'drama and dressing up' themes of Laura Knigh at the Theatre, fashion designers and photographers based in Nottingham have created a series of directional fashion images. Combining new, second-hand and vintage garments and accessories, they have styled a series of 'looks' that hint at the portraits but inject a contemporary twist.

Supporting events:

Ten Minute Tours
Every Wednesday in August at 1.30pm
A member of staff or person associated with the exhibition will give a short talk in the gallery about their favourite works on display.

Magnificent Masks
Friday 22 August, 10am - 12noon or 1pm - 3pm
Take inspiration from Laura Knight’s paintings to create a magnificent mask. Suitable for 5-10 years, children must be accompanied by an adult.

Draw a dancer from life with Mik Godley
Saturday 30 August, 2pm - 4pm
£5.00 (including museum admission)
Laura Knight claimed that the hours she spent watching dancers train taught her more about the human body and its movements than any art school life class. By using a dancer as a model, this session provides the ultimate opportunity to study and draw the human form. Using the exhibition and his own work as a reference point, artist Mik Godley will lead the session. For 16 years+, suitable for beginners as well as more experienced artists.

Exhibition tours
Wednesday 17 September, 2pm and 3.30pm
Timothy Wilcox, eminent art historian and curator of Laura Knight at the Theatre, will be leading tours of the exhibition.

Northern Ballet Theatre dance workshop
Wednesday 24 September, 2pm - 4pm
£10.00 (including museum admission)
Taking inspiration from works in the exhibition, Caroline Burn, Education Officer for Northern Ballet Theatre, will lead a dance workshop in the galleries. The session will be accompanied by live music and will end with refreshments in the café. People of all ages and abilities are welcome and no previous dance experience is required. Booking essential on 0115 915 3651.

Talk by Dr. Pamela Gerrish Nunn
Thursday 25 September, 3pm
A fantastic opportunity to hear one of the leading researchers in women’s history, Dr. Pamela Gerrish Nunn, Associate Professor at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, talk on the subject of ‘Dame Laura Knight’s Greatest Performance’.

Please note: Normal museum admission applies for entry to the exhibitions and supporting events - unless otherwise stated.