Wolverhampton Art Gallery

http://www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk/

Wolverhampton Art Gallery is housed in a Victorian building constructed in 1883 with land donated by the city council and funding from local businessman, Philip Horseman. The gallery underwent a modern extension by Niall Philips Architects in 2007.

Wolverhampton has a permanent collection of Georgian and Victorian Art. The contemporary collection is made of two major strands with an outstanding Pop Art collection and a remarkable selection of Northern Irish work.

Since the 1980s Wolverhampton has focused on collecting works from Northern Ireland that address the country's political situation, including notable works by John Keane, Paul Graham, Jock McFadyen, Willie Doherty, Siobhán Hapaska and Anthony Davies.

The Pop Art collection changes every six months to reflect a different theme found within the movement.

The display of the Northern Ireland collection changes every twelve to eighteen months, with highlights including the recent purchases of works by Breda Beban, David Burrows and Seamus Harahan, the latter through the Contemporary Art Society's acquisitions scheme.

Editor's note:
You are greeted by a beautifully kept 18th century wooden stairwell on which works from the gallery’s historic collection are displayed. Beyond the staircase the gallery opens up into a contemporary interior, housing a rich collection of work.

Quirky additions to the gallery displays include Georgian bonnets and Andy Warholesque wigs for visitors to don as they view the exhibits.