It is an undeniable fact that, statistically, Newcastle has a plethora of galleries; however, even with the many spaces, the desire to immerse yourself into the arts is not fully satiated. The Laing Gallery’s collection is stunning—containing impressive paintings such as Martin’s The Bard; although, its smaller size lets it down. Upon wandering through the rooms you soon find there to be no more art to gaze upon, your appetite not quite quelled. Gateshead’s The Shipley Art Gallery, while having an impressive collection of Dutch and Flemish paintings from the 16th and 17th centuries, is just that bit too far out to justify going to, if you are only in the city for a day. The city’s focus remains on contemporary or community art, forming a lacuna in Fine Art.
... you soon find there to be no more art to gaze upon, your appetite not quite quelled
The obvious solution would be partnering with other galleries across the UK—like the V&A, or the Tate—to exhibit works that are currently neglected and sat in a basement somewhere; ironically, exactly how the Tate came into existence. Thankfully, this seems to be happening more across the country with incentives such as The National Gallery Masterpiece Tour: Monet’s The Petit Bras of the Seine at Argenteuil is on tour around the UK, currently being shown in South Shields Museum and Art Gallery (until 25th March). With over 1,000 paintings presently not being displayed by The National Gallery, instead stored away, it is clear that more schemes like the Masterpiece Tour should exist.
In Newcastle, the lack of a large gallery where one can be wholly immersed in art—for the better part of a day—causes the hunger for Fine Art to not be satisfied. Maybe the four unused towers of the Tyne Bridge should be transformed into the ultimate North Eastern gallery.