Art has always captured and conveyed human spirit, culture and
imagination. The Artistic Legacies gallery illuminates the
relationship between artistic traditions and the work of
contemporary artists.
As you explore the contemporary pieces in the gallery, you will
discover artists interpreting their work in their own words. Their
views illuminate the thoughts and intentions of the anonymous
makers of the past.
Click on any of the objects below to see a larger version and
find out more about it.
World Art
The World Art section presents artistic traditions which reflect
the height of creative endeavour and have acquired a global
relevance. They have been collected, studied and regularly
exhibited, influencing the work of contemporary artists, directly
or indirectly.
Classical Greek and Italian pottery, Nasca pottery from Peru,
Benin bronzes and ivories and African figurative sculpture are set
alongside pieces by contemporary artists, Diego Romero (from the
USA) and Gérard Quenum (from the Republic of Benin).
African figurative sculpture
One of the earliest sculptures in the African figurative
collection, this carved figure was collected before 1843 by William
Ferguson, Governor and Captain-General of Sierra Leone. Embodying
the ideals of female beauty, the flexed posture and elegant
proportions of the figure exude grace, strength and
youthfulness.
Diego Romero, Cochiti, USA
The distinctive work of Cochiti artist Romero draws from the
stark graphic imagery and geometric styles of ancient Pueblo
pottery of Arizona and New Mexico, as well as Greek figurative
styles:
‘It's one of my true loves, the prehistoric pottery from Greece,
the narratives with Hercules and Odysseus and Agamemnon. My work
takes the same approach; it's a glorification of the superhero. But
they're still distinctly Indian pots. That's the kick about
it.’
Diego Romero, Cochiti, USA, 1990s
Transcending traditions
The Transcending traditions section highlights the work of
contemporary artists who work in a print medium or as painters. The
artists featured here resist imposed definitions of ‘tradition’ and
‘contemporary’. Mixing traditional and modern-day techniques, their
work addresses issues of culture, history, identity and
politics.
The featured artists are Larry McNeil (USA), The Singh Twins
(Britain), Khosrow Hassanzadeh (Iran), Qiu Zhijie (China), Haji
Noor Deen Mi Guangjiang (China).
The Singh Twins, Britain
Born in London, the Singh Twins are known for their distinctive
paintings influenced by the Indian miniature tradition. Often
choosing subject matter familiar to a British audience, their work
is a vehicle for social and political commentary, satirical yet
affectionate.
Gallery interactive touch screens feature an ‘Object Explorer’
tool, where visitors can explore the artists’ interpretation of
subject details in the miniatures, painted in the traditional
Indian miniature style.
Art and renewal
The Art and renewal section showcases contemporary work as a
means of understanding the relevance of artistic traditions.
Innovation in artistic practice is not always a radical break with
the past. New works that appear to signify a departure may also be
seen as a reinterpretation or renewal, drawing from different
strands of tradition.
On the Northwest Coast of North America, indigenous carving has
consistently embraced new materials and influences, while
preserving stylistic forms and meanings.
Preston Singletary, Tlingit, USA
Following a glass factory apprenticeship, Seattle-based Native
American artist Preston Singletary trained at Pilchuk Glass Studio
in Washington. Since the 1990s, he has transferred the iconography,
forms and symbolism of Northwest Coast carving to glass. This
piece, Trance, is based on traditional rattles used by shamans in
south Alaskan Tlingit communities. The bird is an oystercatcher,
able to move between water, land and sky – just as a shaman’s
spirit can travel while in a trance state.
You can watch film footage of Preston Singletary creating glass
sculptures and discussing his Tlingit heritage on digital touch
screens in the gallery.
Japanese jewellery was a novel art form of the late 19th
century, which harnessed traditional metalworking skills to create
new works inspired by western jewellery styles.
Suō Emiko, Japan
Suō Emiko (born 1966) grew up listening to the sounds of iron
hammers in her father’s jewellery workshop. Later, she trained
under the master jeweller, Professor Hiramatsu Yasuki. There is a
playfulness to Suō’s jewellery. Contrasting appearance and reality,
her intricate metalworking techniques deceive – the rigid metal
takes on a delicate, textile-like appearance.
Watch an interview with Suō Emiko
here, in which she talks about her influences and techniques of
working in her featured work.
Innovations and fusions
The Innovations and fusions wall showcases contemporary works as
expressions of individual and cultural world views, works of art
show societies in constant change. New avenues of trade, changing
political circumstances and wider forms of patronage can determine
the course of artistic traditions.
Iranian tilework featuring inscriptions was used from the 12th
century to invite reflection into the nature of the divine. In the
19th century inscription gave way to figurative styles, which
served as a subtle vehicle for the expression of political and
social ideals.
Parviz Tanavoli, Iran
Parviz Tanavoli (b.1937) graduated from the Fine Arts School in
Tehran in 1956. He is one of the founding members of the highly
influential, neo-traditionalist Saqqakhaneh movement in
Iran, whose ethos was to reconcile traditional and modern
aesthetics. Tanavoli’s works draw on the rich heritage of Iranian
culture work and transform two-dimensional Farsi scripture into
sculpture.
The global trade of Chinese blue and white porcelain from the
16th century is a testament to the impact of commerce on art.
The Kondō family, Japan
The Kondō family are three generations of potters from Kyoto,
Japan. Kondō Yuzō (1902-1985) was was the first of the Kondos to
become a potter. He was designated a Living National Treasure in
1977. His free, bold brushstrokes contrast with the repetitive
designs prevalent in 19th century Kyoto porcelain.
Katharine Coleman, Britain
Katharine Coleman’s glass work, Broken China Bowl, 2007,
reflects the enduring influence of Chinese style on European
design. It was inspired by shards recovered from a Chinese wreck
sunk in 1323.