" ‘I am to paint several portraits in the country and three ugly women at
Sheffield, dingy hole’.
John Singer Sargent describing his 'The Misses Vickers', 1884
"Ironically, it turned out to be one of his best
and one of Sheffield’s most popular paintings: a modern depiction of
three modern, pretty Sheffield women – a cinematic, tense, and
‘chiaroscuro’ (both light and melancholic) masterpiece..."
I was eager to write this feature piece but in practice it proved very tricky. My
final shortlist of 'Top 3 Artworks' in Sheffield for Our Favourite Places included two works not currently on public display, and one
public sculpture under threat of relocation and worse potentially, of
being sold. So it seemed right to stick with this semi-awkward shortlist
since it says much about Sheffield's artistic climate.
1. ‘The Misses Vickers’ (1884), John Singer Sargent
2.‘Double Somersault’ (1976), William Pye
3. ‘Election Protest, Bolotnaya Square, Moscow, 2011′, hand embroidery on wool (2012) from the Interpersonal Spatial Arrangements series, Roanna Wells
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| William Pye, 'Double Somersault', 1976. Photo by Shaun Bloodworth | |
Sheffield
is brimming with artists - it's pretty difficult to be ignorant of the
fact. There's an impressive quantity and quality of work being made in
studios scattered right across the city, from converted office blocks to
suburbs to artist led spaces. Yet there are scarce opportunities to
exhibit or participate in projects in the city since its visual arts
sector is severely underfunded.
In terms of the city's
extraordinary art collection, sadly there is little capacity for
display. The public can encounter the collection on semi-rotated display
at the Graves gallery (on the very top floor of the central library,
sporting limited opening hours) and the Ruskin gallery close by, both
are modest in size in contrast to the works which are waiting in the
wings (tucked away in storage beneath the Graves gallery). This is said
to be a preservation issue, limiting exposure to light, etc.
Ruskin
donated a great deal of artworks to Sheffield for the pleasure of the
city's workers. Once, Sheffield's art collections displayed for public
enjoyment set a fine example to cities like Manchester. Now, Manchester
offers an extensive collection on display all year round, in conjunction
with contemporary art exhibitions and new commissions.
It isn't an easy
problem to solve but it was a pleasure to mark out three fine examples
of artworks to be cherished but not hoarded, shared and above all,
discussed. Whether visible or not, it's important we're aware of them
and the artists that created them here, or dedicated them to us, for our
benefit.
