Richard Morris has launched the Everyone’s Art project to display hidden artworks currently in storage. The initiative aims to showcase works by lesser-known Suffolk artists in community spaces. Initial funding is secured, with a focus on addressing the inequities in art exhibitions.
Richard Morris, an art historian from Woodbridge, Suffolk, is spearheading the Everyone’s Art project to showcase artworks currently stored in galleries and museums. His initiative aims to bring to light hundreds of lesser-known pieces, particularly by late Suffolk artists, that have rarely been seen by the public. This project starts in Suffolk with hopes of expanding nationally.
Morris is focused on displaying specific works such as Harry Becker’s “Two Men Clearing Banks” from the Colchester and Ipswich Museums Service, which has been in storage since 2019. Also included is Henry Bright’s crayon and chalk drawing “Symphony,” which hasn’t been shown since 1997 due to its fragile condition. Morris intends to exhibit these pieces in community spaces for easier public access.
He argues that obscure artists, despite their talent, often do not receive the attention they deserve, overshadowed by more established names like Gainsborough or Constable. “Some of these artists were rivalling very well-known artists in their day,” he remarked, highlighting the inequities within the art market.
Morris noted that leading galleries often display only a small fraction of their collections; for example, Tate shows about 20%, while The Louvre displays just 8%. Many artworks remain unseen due to limitations such as space and conservation concerns, according to museum directors like Thomas Köhler.
The initial phase of Morris’s project is estimated to cost around £10,000, funded by a private sponsor. This budget will cover expenses for frames, display stands, transport, and insurance. Ipswich Borough Council acknowledged the multitude of artworks in its collection but clarified that not all can be exhibited simultaneously, citing logistical challenges in a broader context.
Richard Morris’s Everyone’s Art project seeks to showcase hidden artworks, encouraging public appreciation of lesser-known artists. Despite challenges regarding exhibition space and conservation, the initiative highlights the inequity in the art market while aiming to provide broader access to stored works. Morris’s project hopes to set a precedent for future exhibitions across the UK.
Original Source: www.bbc.com