Leeds Art Gallery re-opens after repair work

Leeds Art Gallery has re-opened today following its closure in January 2016 for repairs to the original roof of the historic Victorian building.

The collection throughout the galleries includes work on paper, painting, sculpture, and audio visual works.

Credit: Jerry Hardman-Jones

During the past year’s renovations, a discovery was made in the form of a barrel vaulted glazed roof on one of the first-floor galleries. This structure had remained hidden above a false ceiling for over 40 years, and is revealed to the public for the first time this week.

This new space is marked by the presentation of British sculptor Alison Wilding RA’s renowned sculpture Arena (2000), recently gifted from the Contemporary Art Society.

Marking the reopening of the gallery, the works of influential German artist Joseph Beuys (1921 – 1986) are exhibited in Leeds for the first time since 1983 as part of the ARTIST ROOMS: Joseph Beuys exhibition.

Significant works – such as one of the last sculptures made by Beuys, Scala Napoletana (1985) – feature across the three ground-floor galleries, alongside works on paper and vitrines containing objects related to his performances.

Leeds Art Gallery is a key cultural hub in Leeds with close to half a million visitors a year. While the gallery has been closed it has maintained an active profile through extensive loans from its art collection to local and international galleries.

Sarah Brown, principal keeper at Leeds Art Gallery, said: “We are delighted that Leeds Art Gallery is open once again and transformed. The refurbishment of the original Victorian glass roof has enabled us to create light-filled first floor galleries and present the world-class collection as it has never been seen before. We have revealed the original stunning Central Court for the first time in over 50 years to create a beautiful new gallery for visitors to enjoy.”

Leader of Leeds City Council, Cllr Judith Blake, said: “Leeds Art Gallery is a wonderful and iconic element of our city’s fantastic cultural offer and we cannot wait to see the galleries open their doors to the public once again this October. Now that we are moving full steam ahead with our 2023 European Capital of Culture bid, it is brilliant to see the return of Leeds Art Gallery which, internationally recognised and celebrated, will offer another timely reminder of why our bid is so varied and strong.”