Dated: 18/04/2012

Art & Music

Press Release

A new exhibition at York Art Gallery

June 23 – December 31, 2012

Works by artists such as LS Lowry, Walter Sickert and Andy Warhol will be brought together in an exhibition to celebrate the relationship between art and music this summer at York Art Gallery.

Art & Music will showcase more than 40 works from the gallery's collection including oils, prints and ceramics.

The exhibition will look at the many ways music is expressed through art – from the obvious to the more obscure – and also its symbolism within works.

Jennifer Alexander, assistant curator of fine art, said: "Art and music have always had an intertwined relationship which has meant that both are influenced by each other.
"In this exhibition we will look at works of art which depict or have been influenced by music both directly and indirectly. By pointing out the less obvious links we hope visitors will find new ways to interpret the pieces not only on display but also when viewing art generally."

The works on display range from Juriaan van Streek's Vanitas, painted in the 17^th Century, to more modern works such as Bridget Riley's Cloudy Blue Greens with Pink and Emerald Thrusts.
Van Streek's work, which shows a violin with a broken string, is a piece of moral criticism. Musical instruments represent physical love and he asserts that to practice music is a vain pastime. The broken string of the violin in the painting symbolises death and reminds the viewer to lead a moral life.
In contrast Riley's work was influenced by the freedom of expression in music, which does not appear to obey rules, yet can be translated in a mathematical way. Her work takes a similar approach.

The exhibition will also look at the ideas of class, society and education and how that is shown in art through music. The influences of art on music album covers will also be included.
There will be two contemporary loans in the exhibition including a film by Jayne Parker entitled Foxfire Eins.

A series of events and talks will complement Art & Music.

ENDS

Notes

1. A list of works and several images are available on request

2. York Art Gallery opens from 10am until 5pm daily and admission is free. For more information, members of the public can telephone 01904 687687 or visit www.yorkartgallery.org.uk

For further information, images or interviews, contact Lee Clark, Media Co-ordinator, York Museums Trust, telephone 01904 687673, or e-mail lee.clark@ymt.org.uk