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ARTS, CULTURE & TOURISM
0191 278 1611
New Bridge Street
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 8AG
For connoisseurs of 18th to 20th century British
oil paintings and watercolours, Laing Art Gallery
needs no introduction. Its vaulted-ceilinged galleries
house major works of art from leading British and
international artists. The gallery was founded in 1901,
the funds provided by Alexander Laing, a Newcastle
businessman who had made his money from a
wine and spirit shop and beer bottling business.
Alexander Laing didn’t leave any paintings or other
art to the Gallery, but expressed confidence that “by
the liberality of the inhabitants [of Newcastle] it would
soon be supplied with pictures and statuary for the
encouragement and development of British Art”. The
gallery today is home to an internationally important
collection of art, focusing on British oil paintings,
watercolours, ceramics, silver and glassware. The
Laing holds regularly changing exhibitions of historic,
modern and contemporary art, and events including
artist and curator talks and family activities. On the
ground floor of the Laing is the Northern Spirit gallery
which displays outstanding artwork and objects
produced locally by people including Thomas Bewick,
Ralph Hedley and John Martin. Visitors can also
see Newcastle silver, glass and ceramics on show.
Also on the ground floor is the shop, café, learning
space, under-fives’ area and the beautiful Marble Hall,
which is occupied with artworks by Henry Moore and
Turner Prize nominee Paul Noble. Upstairs is the 18th
and 19th century display, including internationally
renowned paintings by John Martin, Paul Gauguin
and Burne-Jones. As a grade II listed Edwardian
building, the venue is in demand as an events space.
The gallery boasts a range of stunning rooms for hire,
including the superb Marble Hall and the Northern
Spirit Gallery. There is also a fully-equipped function
room for up to 60 delegates set in the heart of the
gallery, within easy reach of the Laing’s permanent
collections and special exhibitions.
LAING ART GALLERY
