13th June - 5th September 2009
Leaving behind the mundane and the everyday, this captivating new exhibition explores a world of magic, mystery and fairytales. Enchanted Worlds offers the opportunity to see artworks from the Harris' own collection alongside work from other major collections such as the Tate and the V&A. Delve into tales of fantastical worlds and discover some very strange creatures indeed.
Capturing the imagination of adults and children alike, with artworks dating from the 1780s to the contemporary, Enchanted Worlds provides an eclectic visual treat. You’ll find painting, sculpture, photography, film, animation, puppetry, print and illustration from some of the world's most revered artists of the genre.
The exhibition looks at the fairy phenomenon in British art from the early influence of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night’s Dream, to the popularisation of fairy stories throughout the nineteenth and twentieth century. Other highlights include art work inspired by the classic fairytales Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood, Rumpelstiltskin, Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid.
Whilst much of the work is strikingly beautiful, there is more than simple whimsy at play; the art you will find here is layered with cautionary tales and dark humour. You'll encounter fairies and mermaids, alongside wolves, witches and beasts...some characters are cute, some are far more fiendish!
Amongst the featured artists are Richard Dadd, Jean Cocteau, Lotte Reininger, David Hockney, Quentin Blake, Paula Rego, Jan Pienkowski, William Heath Robinson and Mabel Lucie Attwell. You can also examine the enigmatic Cottingley Fairy photographs up close and decide for yourself whether they are real or not.
There's also a not-to-be-missed opportunity to see a display of some of the most beautiful illustrated fairy tales from The Spencer Collection of Early Children’s Books of the Harris Libraries Special Collections. Amongst the rare first-editions are volumes illustrated by famous artists of the genre such as Arthur Rackham, Edmund Dulac and Mervyn Peake.
Running throughout the summer, there will be plenty for family members of all ages to enjoy. For children there will be dressing-up, games, a dedicated activity space and a lively programme of workshops and events. For adults there will be guided tours and talks, all scheduled for quieter times later in the day.
Image: Arthur Rackham: Jewels from the Deep, 1909 (courtesy of the Arthur Rackham Estate)
Fairy Tales
Beauty and the Beast by Madame Le Prince de Beaumont
A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare
The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Anderson
Rumpelstiltskin by the Brothers Grimm
Little Red Cap by the Brothers Grimm
Hansel and Gretel by the Brothers Grimm
Don’t miss out on more fairytale fun at Gallery Oldham…
Fairies
by Samantha Bryan
6th June – 5th September 2009
This enchanting exhibition features the work of Samantha Bryan, whose extraordinary objective is to provide everything a fairy needs to make life a little bit easier.
For details visit www.galleryoldham.org.uk
Reflections on the Cottingley Fairies - in Frances Griffith's own words
For the first time this new book will give the story in the words of one of the girls themselves. In her book, Frances gives her full account of the story behind the mysterious photographs, and describes the effect the publicity had on her young life. She later shunned publicity, and only in the 1970s did she decide to revisit her years in Cottingley Glen to start her autobiography. Sadly, Frances Griffiths died in 1986 before her autobiography was published, her daughter Christine Lynch has continued the process, to bring her fascinating story to the public.
£8.99 + £1.50PP (UK)
To order contact the museum shop on 01772 905414
Capturing the imagination of adults and children alike, with artworks dating from the 1780s to the contemporary, Enchanted Worlds provides an eclectic visual treat. You’ll find painting, sculpture, photography, film, animation, puppetry, print and illustration from some of the world's most revered artists of the genre.
The exhibition looks at the fairy phenomenon in British art from the early influence of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night’s Dream, to the popularisation of fairy stories throughout the nineteenth and twentieth century. Other highlights include art work inspired by the classic fairytales Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood, Rumpelstiltskin, Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid.
Amongst the featured artists are Richard Dadd, Jean Cocteau, Lotte Reininger, David Hockney, Quentin Blake, Paula Rego, Jan Pienkowski, William Heath Robinson and Mabel Lucie Attwell. You can also examine the enigmatic Cottingley Fairy photographs up close and decide for yourself whether they are real or not.
There's also a not-to-be-missed opportunity to see a display of some of the most beautiful illustrated fairy tales from The Spencer Collection of Early Children’s Books of the Harris Libraries Special Collections. Amongst the rare first-editions are volumes illustrated by famous artists of the genre such as Arthur Rackham, Edmund Dulac and Mervyn Peake.
Running throughout the summer, there will be plenty for family members of all ages to enjoy. For children there will be dressing-up, games, a dedicated activity space and a lively programme of workshops and events. For adults there will be guided tours and talks, all scheduled for quieter times later in the day.
Image: Arthur Rackham: Jewels from the Deep, 1909 (courtesy of the Arthur Rackham Estate)
Fairy Tales
Beauty and the Beast by Madame Le Prince de Beaumont
A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare
The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Anderson
Rumpelstiltskin by the Brothers Grimm
Little Red Cap by the Brothers Grimm
Hansel and Gretel by the Brothers Grimm
Don’t miss out on more fairytale fun at Gallery Oldham…
Fairies
by Samantha Bryan
6th June – 5th September 2009
This enchanting exhibition features the work of Samantha Bryan, whose extraordinary objective is to provide everything a fairy needs to make life a little bit easier.
For details visit www.galleryoldham.org.uk
For the first time this new book will give the story in the words of one of the girls themselves. In her book, Frances gives her full account of the story behind the mysterious photographs, and describes the effect the publicity had on her young life. She later shunned publicity, and only in the 1970s did she decide to revisit her years in Cottingley Glen to start her autobiography. Sadly, Frances Griffiths died in 1986 before her autobiography was published, her daughter Christine Lynch has continued the process, to bring her fascinating story to the public.
£8.99 + £1.50PP (UK)
To order contact the museum shop on 01772 905414
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