Frank Cohen exhibition to launch Shrewsbury’s new Museum & Art Gallery
An exhibition of select works from Frank Cohen’s internationally-acclaimed collection of contemporary art is set to launch the new Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery on 1 April.
The show features artwork by the likes of Tracey Emin, Jake and Dinos Chapman, Damien Hirst and Charming Baker, as well as pieces from rising stars of the art world, championed by Cohen.
The exhibition will be the first to land in the spectacular main gallery space overlooking the town’s market square. This will be an entirely new offering for Shrewsbury, which is seeking to establish itself as a venue dedicated to showcasing bold and thought-provoking contemporary art collections.
The Frank Cohen exhibition leads with an animal theme, with the pieces chosen for the way they resonate with the museum’s historic collections.
Other stand out artworks include early video installations by Bill Viola, a canine resin cast by YBA Abigail Lane, bronze animal masks by rising star Charming Baker, documentary photographs by Roger Ballen, Damien Hirst’s ‘Relationships’, and a portrait of Frank Cohen himself by Jake & Dinos Chapman.
Works by John M Armleder, Jagannath Panda, Tomoaki Suzuki and Tania Kovats also feature.
The Frank Cohen exhibition will remain open until Monday 30 June.
Speaking about the project, Cohen said:
“As a collector, there is great pleasure in acquiring artworks but there is also great satisfaction in being able to share, so that others may discover and enjoy these works as I have. I have welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery as I sincerely believe that, where possible, collections like mine should support regional ambitions in making access to great art possible”.
Adrian Plant, museum exhibitions officer with Shropshire Council, said:
“Charles Darwin is Shrewsbury’s most famous former resident and his influence can be felt throughout the historic collections. Each artwork in the Cohen exhibition in some way touches upon the connection between human beings and the animal world, and questions how much we can really know about history.”
Tina Woodward, Shropshire Council’s deputy Cabinet member for visitor economy, said:
“I’m delighted that the exciting Frank Cohen collection will be the first exhibition at the new Museum & Art Gallery.”
