Why were radical artists and writers drawn to Sussex?
The rolling hills, seaside resorts, and quaint villages of Sussex were a magnet for artists such as Eric Ravilious, Vanessa Bell, David Jones, Edward Wadsworth, Lee Miller and Edward Burra where artistic innovation ran hand in-hand with political, sexual and domestic experimentation. Through over 120 works, this exhibition discovers intriguing connections between these enclaves of artists and the modernisms they represented.
We are part of a consortium of nine Sussex museums and galleries working with The Bulldog Trust on this major exhibition at Two Temple Place in London. It is curated by Dr Hope Wolf, from the University of Sussex.
Two Temple Place, a magnificent neo-Gothic mansion on London’s Victoria Embankment, is owned and run by the charity the Bulldog Trust. Its Winter Exhibition Programme supports regional museums across the UK, highlighting great collections through annual free exhibitions.
www.twotempleplace.org
The exhibition draws on the richness of collections in the region as well as featuring major loans from across the country. Within the county are the homes of major artists and collectors namely Charleston (home of the Bloomsbury Group), Farley Farm House, Chiddingly (home of Roland Penrose and Lee Miller) and West Dean (home to surrealist Edward James) as well as the iconic modernist building De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill (designed by Serge Chermayeff and Erich Mendelsohn) now a contemporary art gallery and performance venue. The exhibition draws on these collections as well as the Sussex museums and galleries with significant holdings of modernist art Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, Ditchling Museum of Art & Craft, Jerwood Gallery in Hastings, Pallant House Gallery in Chichester and Towner Art Gallery in Eastbourne.
See the original model for the De La Warr Pavilion from 1934, which has been kindly loaned by Bexhill Museum. We have also loaned the watercolour sketch of the Edward Wadsworth mural commissioned for the original restaurant space. It’s a rare chance to see the sketch which is not normally on display. We are proud to be part of Sussex Modernism, representing Bexhill’s rich history alongside Bexhill Museum.
The exhibition and programme is supported by Arts Council England
Check out our January to April 2017 brochureThere are plenty of welcoming and good value B&Bs & boutique hotels in Bexhill. The De La Warr Pavilion regularly uses the following :
- By Rail
Direct trains go from London Victoria, Brighton and Ashford to Bexhill.
There are also trains from London Charing Cross, changing at St. Leonards Warrior Square and from London Bridge or Charing Cross going to Battle. Battle is only a short taxi journey away (15 mins approx).
Visit www.nationalrail.co.uk for up-to-date train travel information. - Taxis
Town Taxis: 01424 211 511
Parkhurst Taxis: 01424 733 456 - By Car
If driving from the London area:
Take the M25, then A21 to Hastings. Turn off at John‘s Cross and follow the signs to Bexhill.
OR
Take the A22 to Eastbourne, go across the Bishop roundabout to the A271 and follow the signs to Bexhill and the seafront. The De La Warr Pavilion is on the Marina.
From the Brighton area:
Follow the A27 out of Brighton until you arrive in Bexhill On Sea. - Parking
Please be aware the Rother District car park outside the De La Warr Pavilion operates paid parking until 7pm. After this time parking is free. There is also lmiited free car parking along the seafront.
Within the limits of this Grade One listed building, the De La Warr Pavilion strives to be fully accessible with a range of facilities to support your visit.
Assistance Dogs are permitted into the building.
Please contact the Box Office on 01424 229 111 to arrange a visit.
Facilities for disabled visitors
- Ramped access at the front of the building
- A low counter at the Box Office and Information Desk
- Disabled toilets on two floors
- A lift to all floors
- Accessible galleries on both floors
- An accessible Café
- Spaces for wheelchairs in the auditorium for seated events
- Ramped access in the auditorium for events during the day
- Ramped access into the Studio
- Two travel wheelchairs are available for use at the De La Warr Pavilion. To reserve, please call our box office and information desk on (01424) 229111 or ask a member of staff on arrival. The chairs are provided on a first come, first served basis and are intended for use inside the Pavilion. Please contact us for more information.
Facilities for blind or visually-impaired
- Large print season brochures
Facilities for the hard-of-hearing
- An T-Switch induction loop in some areas of the auditorium (please indicate when booking as this facility is not available on the balcony)
- British Sign Language interpretation tours of the building and exhibitions are available on request.