One of the nation's best collections of Modern British art can be found nestled among the narrow, historic streets of Chichester. Inside the Grade One-Listed Pallant House, and its contemporary extension, are works by some of the most cherished artists of the last century. Turn a corner and visitors may spot a sleek Barbara Hepworth sculpture; a vibrant Patrick Caulfield painting; or recognise the faces in a famous Peter Blake collage. Yet the thing that impresses more than the big names on show is the way that their works are displayed. When I visited, I never expected to enter the bedroom of a Queen Anne townhouse, complete with four-poster bed, to witness a varied collection of 20th-century still lifes. Nor did I imagine that my attention would be caught by the light reflecting off twisted glass sculptures that appeared in rooms like ghosts. Little did I know that they were part of a series of glass installations by American multimedia artist Michael Petry (see stairwell photograph). This is evidence that Pallant House Gallery prides itself on keeping its displays fresh.
In various rooms curators have highlighted key themes that run through the collections, or have focused on the distinguishing characteristics of a certain bequest. One such donation is the George and Ann Dannatt Gift, which was being exhibited in the older part of the gallery when I visited. Its focus is the works of key figures associated with the St Ives School in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. It is easy to identify the similarities in the paintings, drawings, sculptures and prints by artists such as Sir Terry Frost, Ben Nicholson, Denis Mitchell and George Dannatt himself. The use of geometric shapes and a restricted palette of colours is evident in many of their works. A preoccupation with the Cornish landscape- a usual St Ives trait- is less obvious, mostly due to the abstract nature of these pieces.
Sickert in Dieppe
On my visit to the gallery, the major temporary exhibition was Sickert in Dieppe. It brings together over 80 works associated with British artist Walter Sickert (1860-1942). A Dieppe theme is not usually the focus of Sickert exhibitions- instead they tend to concentrate on his paintings of life in Victorian and Edwardian London. Yet the French seaside resort played a very important role in Sickert's personal life and artistic output. It is where his style and technique evolved, aided by the influence of French Impressionists and other local bohemians. When Sickert first arrived in Dieppe he painted gentile seascapes in the manner of his master, James Abbott McNeill Whistler. Upon meeting Edgar Degas, at the home of friend Jacques-Émile Blanche, he was encouraged to broaden his subject matter to include more lively scenes of town life. Under the instruction of Degas, Sickert began to use preparatory drawings to add greater detail to his work. Additionally he benefitted from adopting the techniques of applying gridlines and squaring-up.
One of the most striking paintings is Sickert's L'Hôtel Royal, Dieppe (1894). It demonstrates a daring palette of colours, which are absent from his early Whistler-style low tonal ranges. The front of the hotel is painted green, contrasting against a purple sky, which cleverly captures the magical effect of the setting sun. Another highlight is Sickert's The Blind Sea Captain (1914) - on show to the public for the first time.
Later works by Sickert are also on display, illustrating the artist's progression away from thick impasto oil painting towards thinner applications of colour. These later works depict rural scenes rather than the townscapes of Dieppe. Sickert's eventual disillusionment with Dieppe can be witnessed through a final return to figurative painting in his portrayal of the town's gambling scene and music halls.
Several small exhibitions usually run alongside the main exhibition at Pallant House Gallery - providing enough to occupy your time for at least half a day. A visit to the small, but good quality, restaurant and specialist bookshop can extend this to a whole day. The courtyard garden adds a further al fresco element. During my visit it was the temporary home of some friendly-looking concrete figures decorated with found objects, such as old ceramics (see photographs). They were the creations of self-taught Indian artist Nek Chand, who opened a popular sculpture park in India called The Rock Garden of Chandigarh.
It costs just £5 (half the normal price) to visit the gallery on Tuesdays. It is also possible to view the collection for free on Thursday evenings (5pm to 8pm), with an additional charge of £5 for temporary exhibitions.
Visit www.pallant.org.uk for further details.
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