Art Collection Secured
Last updated: 28/02/2008 - 10:25
One of the most important private collections of contemporary art in the world has been secured for Scotland at a fraction of the market value.
Anthony d'Offay's internationally acclaimed collection addresses a lack of modern art in our public galleries and will benefit audiences across Scotland - especially young people - inspiring their engagement in art. As a national resource, the collection will tour the country from Glasgow to Orkney, and puts Scotland firmly on the international map with a world-renowned world class art collection.
Cultural Renaissance
The purchase underpins the increasing sense of a cultural renaissance in Scotland, with free access for the public making the collection easily accessible. The National Galleries of Scotland estimate that around 500,000 people will see the collection, known as Artist Rooms, next year and that up to 60% will be attracted from outside Scotland.
The Scottish Government has contributed £10 million towards the collection valued at £125 million. Mr d'Offay himself has provided a public gift element valued at around £100 million.
Minister for Culture Linda Fabiani said: "This is a hugely significant acquisition for the National Galleries and for Scotland - it adds real weight to the cultural renaissance we are experiencing here, which includes the establishment of a national cultural development body in Creative Scotland. I know that Mr d'Offay has a strong connection with Scotland from his days studying at Edinburgh University and I extend my thanks for the generous gift he has passed on for the good of this nation.
"This collection is a coup for Scotland at an international level. The quality and acclaim of the works on display reinforces our reputation as arts enthusiasts and shows Scotland as a serious player on the cultural stage. The collection offers an opportunity to both inspire and engage with the widest range of people, in particular our young people.
"Our National Galleries make an important contribution to Scotland's economy and this celebrated, permanent exhibition will generate many more visitors from around Scotland and indeed around the world.
National Resource
"As a truly national resource, these inspiring works will tour around the country bringing world class modern art to different communities. I am particularly excited about the legacy element of the acquisition which will enable the collection to grow and profile emerging Scottish artists. The doors to modern art have been well and truly opened for everyone in Scotland - I want to see everyone, young and old, from Scotland and beyond, visiting Artist Rooms and experiencing the very best in contemporary art."
Over decades, Mr d'Offay cultivated this unique private collection of contemporary modern art, now passed to the National Galleries of Scotland and Tate, resulting in a significant gift worth around £100 million.
Artist Rooms, a collection of 725 iconic works, is to be shared between the two museums. The Scottish Government has worked closely with the National Galleries of Scotland, Mr d'Offay and other partners to secure the collection for the Scottish people.
Mr d'Offay said: "The National Galleries of Scotland is the kind of experience that defines your life. I adore Scotland in every way - Edinburgh and Glasgow, Scottish places and Scottish people. It is a place that you can feel particularly part of and attached to.
"This is about trying to make something happen in a place where it will really make a great difference to young people, their appreciation of themselves and their era. It will inform what they do with their lives and how they see the world."
John Leighton, Director-General of the National Galleries of Scotland said: "It is tremendous that the Scottish Government has given its full backing to this major new initiative for the visual arts in Scotland. We now have the potential to bring great modern art to new audiences right across this country. This is fantastic news for Scottish art and for Scottish artists."
National Museums & Galleries
The National Museums and Galleries currently bring in around three million visitors per year, and recent high profile shows based on artists held in the d'Offay collection have attracted huge public interest - Warhol attracted 100,000, and Ron Mueck set a Scottish record with 130,000 visitors. The opportunity to showcase all 725 works in the d'Offay collection is hugely significant for Scotland's economy.
The Collection consists of 725 works in different media arranged in 50 "rooms" by 25 artists, plus a further 10 works by seven artists. Artists featured include: Andy Warhol (six rooms); Diane Arbus (three rooms); Joseph Beuys (five rooms); Gilbert and George (two rooms); Damien Hirst (one room); Jeff Koons (two rooms); Jannis Kounellis (four rooms); Ron Mueck (one room); Robert Mapplethorpe (three rooms).
The collection has been conservatively valued at £125 million. The transfer of ownership is being made under a part gift, part sale at cost agreement. The gift element from Mr d'Offay is in the region of £100 million. The cost net of tax is £28 million.
The funding breakdown is as follows:
The agreement also includes a provision for the establishment of a £5 million endowment fund by the National Galleries of Scotland and Tate which will allow the collection to evolve moving forward.
Born in Sheffield in 1940, Anthony d'Offay studied art at Edinburgh University, graduating in 1962. Whilst at University, he fell in love with the collections of the National Gallery of Scotland. Years later he described walking around the galleries on The Mound as "the defining experience of my life". Mr d'Offay assembled his collection of contemporary art through his gallery over 28 years.
'Extraordinary Generosity'
Commenting on the announcement, artist Alison Wattt said: "Anthony d'Offay is one of the great collectors. Imagination is the key to great art both for the artist and the viewer. The richness and depth of vision in d'Offay's donation is extraordinary and for a painter its possibilities are endless. At last I'll be able to see in Scotland works by some of the most influential artists of the 20th century such as Agnes Martin, Gerhard Richter and Robert Ryman who have been missing from The National Galleries of Scotland's permanent collection until now and I can't wait..."
Sir Dennis Stevenson, Chairman of HBOS, said: "Thanks to Mr d'Offay's extraordinary generosity, the visual arts in Scotland and the rest of the UK have been given an amazing boost; this level of ambition not only brings important educational and cultural opportunities but has significant economic benefits - encouraging tourism and enhancing our image abroad. A vibrant arts scene is a vital part of our image and makes Scotland more attractive for entrepreneurs and senior executives."
Chairman and Managing Director of Noble Grossart Limited and former Chairman of the Trustees of the National Galleries of Scotland, Sir Angus Grossart, said: "This is the best, and is a world standard collection which will inspire many, particularly young people. This collection will be transformational for Scottish aspirations and follows the bold steps supporting Dumfries House and the John Murray archive. Scotland deserves the best and yet again, it is being delivered."
Richard Holloway, Chair of the Joint Board of Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen, said: "The Scottish Arts Council is thrilled by this news. The d'Offay collection will be a fabulous cultural asset, both for Scottish audiences and for its artists. The opportunity to see and learn from work of such a significant international collection is a resource that will be valued for generations.
"As the collection will not be static, but a continuous moving feast, Scottish Arts Council and National Galleries Scotland will be working together to ensure this renowned collection reaches and develops audiences across Scotland. Anthony d'Offay is to be commended for his magnificent gesture."
Bridget McConnell, Chief Executive of Culture and Sport Glasgow, commented: "At a stroke, Mr d'Offay's collection completely transforms the potential to show great international post-war and contemporary art in this country. We are looking forward to showing parts of the collection in Glasgow and, hopefully, encouraging and inspiring many more people to encounter modern art."
Aberdeen Art Gallery
Neil Firth, Director of the Pier Arts Centre in Orkney, said: "This is great news for audiences across Scotland and the UK. The gift of such a large group of works of this quality is a very welcome addition to the nation's collections. I very much look forward to working with colleagues in Edinburgh and London to bring works from the bequest to our local audiences here in Orkney. We have worked jointly with the National Galleries of Scotland and Tate on many occasions in recent years and this type of national and local collaboration can only help bring the very best of contemporary art to audiences across the length and breadth of the UK. Congratulations to all concerned at the National Galleries of Scotland and the Tate."
Jennifer Melville, Fine Art Keeper at Aberdeen Art Gallery, said: "The Anthony d'Offay collection is a most outstanding acquisition for the National Galleries of Scotland and Tate and for the UK as a whole, as the intention is to make the collection accessible for all by lending works to many other public museums and galleries throughout Britain.
"For Aberdeen Art Gallery, where the emphasis since its inception in 1885 has been on exhibiting challenging contemporary art, this is particularly welcome: not only does it mean that some of the best work of the world's best artists can be shown alongside our own collections but it provides an opportunity to reach one of the more northerly communities in Britain. As capital of the world's oil industry the city of Aberdeen has become truly cosmopolitan. This fact will now be reflected in our exhibitions which will allow us to show the work of genuinely world class artists."
PSP Ltd is not responsible for the content of external websites.
More information available in Arts & Culture, United Kingdom