Louise Bourgeois: A Woman Without Secrets

artist Winifred Nicholson</a>’s relationship with the tradition of rag rug making. Featuring around 40 artworks from the 1920s to 1970s, the exhibition offers a unique insight into Nicholson’s artistic collaborations and relationship to her home in Cumbria.</p><p>Best known for her luminous flower paintings, Nicholson (1893-1981) was an influential figure in British 20th century art. Presenting 28 rag rugs, many of which have never previously been shown in public, this exhibition shines a light on an unknown aspect of her work.</p><p>Nicholson’s family lived in Cumberland, as it was then known, and in 1923 she first encountered the rag rug making tradition through her neighbour, Margaret Warwick. The exhibition presents rugs designed by Nicholson, her family, and friends, which were crafted by women from the rural farming community near Hadrian’s Wall in Cumbria.</p><p>Nicholson’s creative collaboration with neighbouring women, formed part of a revival of the traditional craft in the 1960s and 1970s. As well as designs by Nicholson’s grandchildren and grandnieces, we present a rug designed by her close friend Li Yuan-chia, an artist who led the LYC Museum &amp; Art Gallery at the converted Bankside Farmhouse in the village of Banks, Cumbria, from 1972-1983.</p><p>Rag rugs, also known as hooky rugs or proggy mats, were hardwearing rugs popular in the mining villages and rural cottages of northern England in the early 20th century. The rugs were made from strips of second-hand clothing and textiles, which were occasionally dyed bright colours. These strips were pushed or pulled through a hessian backing using a tool called a ‘proddy’, to create the rug.</p><p><br></p>" />

Bethlem Gallery</a> has collaborated with more than 2000 artists on new commissions, events and exhibitions. From these, 200 artworks have been selected for the Bethlem Gallery’s founding collection, with artists ranging from <a target="_blank" href=https://www.mutualart.com/Exhibition/Louise-Bourgeois--A-Woman-Without-Secret/"/Artist/Mark-Titchner/AF65A4C602F7B7BE">Mark Titchner</a> to <a target="_blank" href=https://www.mutualart.com/Exhibition/Louise-Bourgeois--A-Woman-Without-Secret/"/Artist/Pat-Mear/F8C48E4E55869675">Pat Mear</a>.</p><p>Generously supported by the Peter Sowerby Foundation, the collection launches with a new exhibition, displays across its hospital-partner’s sites, and an online catalogue.</p><p><br></p>" />

contemporary artist Glenn Ligon</a> in our landmark exhibition bringing together works by the artist alongside his unique interventions in our galleries.</p><p>Widely regarded as one of the leading contemporary artists working today, Ligon is best known for his text-based paintings which include the words of writers such as James Baldwin, Gertrude Stein and Zora Neale Hurston. Through these artworks, he explores the social, cultural and political constructions of race.</p><p>Alongside Ligon’s original paintings, sculptures and prints, All Over The Place presents a series of site-specific interventions curated by the artist throughout the Museum aimed at peeling back the layers of history and meaning to reveal a new perspective on our collection.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p>" />