Revolution and Romans at Museum & Art Swindon

Showcasing art from the early 20th Century, along with some hand-picked favourites from the Friends of Museum & Art Swindon, the new art displays are part of the third major changeover in exhibitions at the venue.

‘A Very British Art Revolution: Rebellion and Reaction in the Early 20th Century’ explores art in the early 1900s, a time of great social and political change in Britain – and it was no different in the art world. The exhibition looks at how artists in Britain responded to these changes, and to the new creative ideas that were shifting how people made and experienced art across the whole of Europe. 

It features work from the MAS collection including from the Bloomsbury Group (Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant), pioneers of abstraction Ivon Hitchens and Ben Nicholson and radical responses to British land and townscapes by artists such as John Piper, Graham Sutherland, and Julian Trevelyan.

The second exhibition ‘Seriously…’ has been created in collaboration with the Friends of Museum & Art Swindon who have selected 32 artworks from the Council’s extensive art collection.

The Friends took their cue from Sir Kenneth Clark who, when Chairman of the Arts Council, said “They take art seriously in Swindon” and the exhibition will feature works on paper, paintings and ceramics from a number of artists including Alfred Wallis.

Andrew Cross, the Chair of the Friends of Museum & Art Swindon, said: “The Friends were excited to be involved with ‘Seriously… ‘ and very much welcomed the opportunity to work with MAS to show the diversity in the Swindon collection.”

Both art exhibitions are open now for visitors to enjoy. ‘A Very British Art Revolution’ runs until Saturday, 5 July with ‘Seriously…’ running until Saturday, 13 September.

Alongside the new art showcases, a new historical exhibition is opening in the museum side of MAS.

‘Meet the Romans: Life in Swindon’s First Town’ opens on Tuesday, 8 April and explores Roman life in Durocornovium, a Roman town lost to history thought to be located at Nythe Farm.

Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Planning, said: “Swindon’s important art collection is beginning to get the recognition is deserves, and I’m proud that we are taking every opportunity to showcase as much of it as possible. These two complementary exhibitions – Seriously… and Revolution – offer side-by-side narratives that will enrich any art lover’s understanding of the history.

“We’re also diving deeper into the history of Swindon with a look at the lost Roman town of Durocornovium, located just the other side of the A419. The richness and diversity of finds, everything from jewellery to a Roman “radiator”, really speaks to what an important settlement this was and how pivotal the crossroads Swindon sits on was back then.

“We’re approaching the first anniversary of opening MAS so, if you’re yet to visit, now is the perfect time to give yourself a 360 degree view of our fascinating collections.

“I’d also like to say a big thank you to the Friends of Museum & Art Swindon who have been incredibly supportive since we opened and put together a thoughtful and inspiring exhibition.”