Turner Contemporary in Kent has unveiled a new exhibition dedicated to the work of British artist Bridget Riley.
The showcase features pieces from the influential 94-year-old painter’s oeuvre, including works from the late 1960s, wall paintings created within the last decade, and her most recent canvases.
Melissa Blanchflower, senior curator, stated that the Margate gallery aims to “invite the public to come and have this visual experience,” emphasizing that “being in front of the painting” is irreplaceable.
The free exhibition, comprising 26 artworks and titled Learning to See, will be open to the public at the gallery until May 4.
“The collective experience of bringing these constellations together introduces a novel dimension,” the curator noted.
Ms. Blanchflower highlighted her close collaboration with Riley in planning the exhibition, calling it “a great privilege to spend time with her.”
“Having viewed several of her past exhibitions, I believed I possessed considerable knowledge of her work,” she told the BBC.
“However, deeply exploring her more recent creations alongside her has significantly deepened my appreciation for her artistic practice.”
The gallery notes that Riley drew inspiration for the exhibition’s title from a letter penned by Claude Monet to fellow French painter Eugène Boudin.
The exhibition also includes a selection of Riley’s preparatory drawings.
Furthermore, a drawing studio will be available with public classes for the upcoming year, “inspired” by Riley, according to Ms. Blanchflower.
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