Lowry and the Painting of Modern Life Exhibition

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by Bryony Harrison (subscribe)

Freelance writer and poet from London; if you would like to read my poetry, please check out my book, 'Poems on the Page', available from goo.gl/Ta4oAX.

Event: 26/06/2013 - 20/10/2013

Urban Scenes of 20th Century Britain

Lowry and the painting of modern life, tate, 'Coming Out of School

'Coming Out of School', L.S. Lowry, 1927

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The term Modern Art usually refers to work produced during 1860s to the 1970s, which steered away from telling a narrative, and tended to take a more abstract interpretation of the world. L.S. Lowry (1887-1976) fits into the first category, but he had an entirely different idea about what modern painting was. For him, a modern painting needed to represent modern life, not experimental thinking. Lowry believed that that without pictures of 'current' everyday life, understanding of that life would be lost in the future.

He was an impressionist painter, influenced by nineteenth century French artists such as Vincent Van Gogh, Camille Pissarro, Georges Seurat, and Maurice Utrillo.

Although Lowry painted a variety of landscapes, including seasides and countrysides, it was his townscapes and portrayal of urban living that he is most associated with. In the first major exhibition since his death, Tate Britain will focussing on these works, particularly looking at scenes of industrialisation, urbanisation, and working class life.

Th exhibition runs until the 20th October and includes paintings such as Coming out of School(1927), The Pond (1950), and Ancoats Hospital Outpatients' Hall (1952). Tickets are £16.50 for adults or £14.50 concessions.

There will also be additional events, such as guided tours (£5), a talk with private viewing (£20), and a documentary screening (£9).