Towner, Eastbourne

http://www.eastbourne.gov.uk/leisure/museums-galleries/towner/

Towner opened in 1923 following the death of Alderman John Towner who left twenty-two paintings and enough money to establish a city art gallery. In 2009 the gallery relocated from its original manor house to a contemporary building designed by Rick Mather Architects. The new building offers a new vision for the future of the collection.

The gallery holds a varied collection of works with
a strong focus on landscape, including paintings by
Joseph Wright of Derby, Thomas Jones, Alfred Wallis,
Edward Wadsworth, Christopher Wood, Eric Ravilious
and Peter Lanyon.

The modern collection has notable works by Vanessa Bell, David Bomberg, Alan Davie, Henry Moore, Victor Pasmore and Pablo Picasso. Many recent acquisitions of contemporary work have been in the areas of film and video including notable pieces by Wolfgang Tillmans, Julian Opie, Roni Horn, Tacita Dean and Anya Gallaccio.

Exhibitions from the permanent collection are complemented by the gallery's programme of temporary exhibitions, showing a range of excellent contemporary work.

Guest editor’s note:
Towner boasts over four thousand artworks housed on site. Enjoy the noon tour. Walk through its beautiful raw polished concrete and glass construction or take the lift shared by the artworks, where, as you ascend, a window onto the town’s landscape is revealed. The top floor café boasts
spectacular views across the Sussex Downs. Look at the side of this building to appreciate the wonderful modern design.

Reviewed by Jane Lyster