Creative Tension : British Art 1900 - 1950
5 March - 2 May 2005

Creative Tension: British Art 1900-1950 is a major new exhibition bringing together over 130 paintings, sculptures and ceramics by the leading artists working in Britain during the first half the twentieth century.

Works by famous artists such as LS Lowry, Ben Nicholson, Alfred Munnings, Jacob Epstein and Mark Gertler are on show alongside works by significant artists who were household names during their lifetime.

During the first half of the 20th century, Lancashire’s galleries, fuelled by large endowment funds and with civic pride at stake, vied with each other to build significant collections of work by the most important living artists working in this country.

Creative Tension showcases the outstanding collections of Gallery Oldham; the Harris Museum & Art Gallery, Preston; Bolton Museum & Art Gallery; and Touchstones Rochdale; along with a small number of loans from other galleries in the North West of England.

The first half of the 20th century was a time of great change, excitement and conflict in British art. The collections of the four galleries are used to present an alternative history of the period, showing the tensions and fascinating crossovers between very different artistic styles.

The exhibition includes interactive activities for people of all ages.

The exhibition is supported by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation Regional Museums Initiative.

Following Gallery Oldham, Creative Tension will be on show at the Harris Museum & Art Gallery, Preston (14 May – 10 July 2005); Bolton Museum & Art Gallery (23 July – 18 September 2005); Touchstones Rochdale (1 October 2005 – 8 January 2006); and the Fine Art Society, London (January – February 2006).

Find out more from the Creative Tension website www.creativetension.org.uk

Image: Along the Shore, 1914, by Joseph Southall.