New Kent canvas art centre a step closer
Published on: 20-Jun-2007
A new Kent gallery celebrating the life and works of one of Britain's greatest canvas art practitioners is a step closer today after detailed plans for the long-awaited centre were unveiled.Backed by Kent County Council, Turner Contemporary is a wide-reaching visual arts organisation which aims at celebrating acclaimed 19th century artist JMW Turner's close association with the county, and with Margate in general.
Key among those plans is the town's new Turner Centre, set to open in 2010 and to feature one of the south-east's largest displays of both historic and contemporary canvas art, outside of London.
The £17.4 million contract for the design of the new canvas art centre was awarded to David Chipperfield Architects last year, and the firm has now unveiled its most detailed impressions yet of what local art-lovers can expect at the new gallery.
The 20-metre high complex will stretch over three storeys, with the top-floor dedicated to gallery space and distinctive balconies on the second storey offering shots of some of the same sea views that so inspired Turner.
"We are very excited about the designs," commented Mr Chipperfield on the firm's website.
"We are confident that this design makes the most of the site's potential and remains sensitive to its unique setting."
Turner's flowing canvas art landscapes are often credited with laying the foundations for Impressionism, while many abstract artists of the modern era have also taken inspiration from his work.
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