Sat, 03 Jul 2010 - Sat, 04 Sep 2010 : Part of Quay Arts’ Heritage Season

‘The West Collection - A Quay Vision’ explores Quay Arts’ history and cultural heritage.

This exciting nine-week summer exhibition showcases work from some of Britain and America’s leading contemporary artists. Brought together for the first time in public, the collection includes work by Barbara Hepworth, Elisabeth Frink, Bridget Riley, L.S Lowry, John Hitchens, Lucie Rie, Roy Lichtenstein and many more.

This eclectic private collection belonged to General Sir Michael West and Lady West; a couple instrumental in the establishment of Quay Arts in the1970s.

Mike and Christine West (as they preferred to be known) collected paintings and ceramics for over forty years. Once retired on the Island, they spearheaded a campaign to take a derelict 19th century brewery warehouse in Newport’s town quay, and transform it into today’s flourishing Quay Arts.

This exhibition will not only focus on the West family’s heritage, but the many committed individuals who helped Quay Arts come into being during the early 1970s.

A fully illustrated catalogue will accompany this exhibition. The Bespoke Film Company will show an informative documentary, made in collaboration with young students from Island schools.