Permanent Exhibitions
Kirkleatham Museum features a selection of permanent galleries and temporary exhibitions.
An Exhibition of Dog Themed Art
8th March – 29th June
Our love of dogs has been part of our national identity for centuries and, as the world’s most popular pet, this obsession with our canine companions shows no sign of waning. There are an estimated 12 million dogs in the UK, with roughly 36% of households owning a dog.
The ‘A Dog’s Life’ exhibition shows the work of international artists, designers, illustrators and photographers who use dogs as their subject matter and inspiration. Giving insight into the influence and impact that dogs have had on these artists’ lives and practice, the show explores the bond between humans and their four-legged friends.
Brazilian artist, Rafael Mantesso, uses photography and illustration to create imaginary scenes around his beloved bulldog, Jimmy Choo, who was named after his ex-wife’s favourite shoe designer. These images became an overnight Instagram sensation and 20-21 is pleased to be able to show nine of Rafael’s humorous images in this exhibition.
Sophie Gamand, a French artist and photographer living in Los Angeles, makes flower crown for Pit Bull rescue dogs. She photographs these dogs wearing their crowns and the resulting images are posted on social media and have helped to find homes for hundreds of homeless dogs throughout the USA.
Renowned artist, Sophie Ryder, will be showing a bronze sculpture entitled ‘Dancing Dogs’, along with a stunning portrait of one of her dogs. Sophie graduated from the Royal Academy in 1986 and was the youngest student since JMW Turner. Whilst studying there, Sophie was the only student allowed to have her dog on site. This was because her canine companion, named Bear, was her model.
London based artist, Martha Todd, has created four ceramic sculptures which explore our obsession with putting clothes on dogs, and artist Shauna Richardson has created a life-sized hound using a process she has developed, called Crochetdermy®.
Gerrard Gethings will be exhibiting 16 pairs of photographs which show dogs and their human look-a-likes, and artist, Mychael Barratt, will be displaying three prints. In 2002, after visiting a Marc Chagall exhibition, Mychael found himself contemplating what Chagall’s dog would look like. This marked the start of his ‘Artists’ Dogs’ project that is still going strong after over twenty years and more than fifty prints. Mychael takes a well-known artwork and using the same technique and approach as the original artist, skilfully inserts a dog into the picture.
The exhibition also includes a selection of artworks from dog-themed children’s books created by well-known illustrators.
As well as a wide-ranging display of dog themed photography, ceramics, textiles, prints and sculpture, there will be lots of opportunities for visitors to get involved: There’s a ‘Name the Breed’ trail, an interactive which allows visitors to test their knowledge of animated TV and film dog characters, and there is a digital interactive where visitors can see what they’d look like as a dog. There will also be an area where visitors can display photos of their own dogs and have a go at drawing their own pooch’s portrait.
Participating artists are: Sophie Ryder, William Wegman, David Shrigley,Gerrard Gethings, Rafael Mantesso, Holy Smoke, Martha Todd, Shauna Richardson, Lucy Casson, Mychael Barratt, Bryony Rose Jennings, Michael Gillette, John Bond, Sally Muir, Zoe Whiteside, Ryan K Taylor, Sophie Gamand, Georgina Warne,Gemma Rees, Whatshisname,Lazerian and Margaret Cogswell.
Illustrations from: Nick Sharratt, Mei Matsuoka, Emmanuelle Walker, Alice Bowsher,Chris Chatterton, Helen Stephens, Adam Stower, Tor Freeman, Jo Williamson, Nicola Kent, Emma Lazell, Claudia Boldt and John Bond.
The Kirkleatham Story: Beyond the Estate
Uncover the rich heritage of Kirkleatham Estate through creative storytelling, collective reflection and interpretation.
Beyond the Estate is a collaborative project designed to explore and uncover the historical narratives and personal identities connected to the history of Kirkleatham Estate. This project aims to uncover the estate’s rich heritage while fostering a deeper connection between communities and the complex history of Kirkleatham, with a particular focus on Sir William Turner’s contributions.
Through active community participation, Beyond the Estate invites individuals to engage in creative expression and meaningful dialogue. Kirkleatham Museum seeks to inspire a dynamic and diverse response that resonates with contemporary audiences, facilitating thoughtful conversations that will set the stage for a larger project and exhibition dedicated to the rich history of Kirkleatham and the impactful legacy of Sir William Turner.
Saxon Princess
A royal bed burial with finds unparalleled in the Anglo- Saxon world. The Saxon Princess treasure, found near Loftus, is housed at Kirkleatham, with scenes of everyday life in the 7th Century AD.
Lest We Forget
Footsteps of Courage
This exhibition looks at the dramatic story of the Normandy Landings, and explores the experiences of local men and women who lived in Redcar during the Second World War.
Steel Stories
Steel Stories is a powerful celebration of our region’s steel and industrial heritage.
This interactive exhibition is the culmination of 12 months of community engagement and research, showcasing stories, artefacts and pictures from real people who worked and lived in the steel industry and community.
Gertrude Bell
Gertrude Bell lived at Red Barns in Redcar from the age of 2, this exhibition tells the story of her fascinating life.
The Georgian Dining Room
This Georgian-period dining room display offers us a unique perspective into the exuberant lifestyle of the wealthy upper-classes at this time. The grandeur of this room highlights the formal and intricate nature of dining rituals. The strict social order for seating, the range of tableware and the act of inviting guests each contribute to an elaborate and sophisticated affair.
With thanks to the MA Curator Degree Apprenticeship team for their support in the development of the interpretation and project.
Visiting Exhibitions
Art for a Better World
The Open University, King’s College London and Pitik Bulag cartoon collective present Art for a Better World, an exhibition that brings academics and artists together for positive social change.
Take a journey around the world, through cartoons, mixed media and video from international artists that make the latest research about pressing social challenges accessible to general audiences. Then, find out about the social issues that matter the most to local Year 10 students, through the artworks they produced in our art workshop.
The exhibition has been generously supported by the Open University, King’s College London and the British Association for the Study of Religions.
You can find out more about exhibition on the website of the Democracy, Disinformation and Religion project that led to this collaboration.
Let Not The Deep Swallow Me Up
As part of the 200 year anniversary of the RNLI, this exhibition aims to tell stories both historic and current, and explore our local heritage, uncovering the ordinary behind the extraordinary tales. It will showcase fine art imagery around texture, substance and historical artefact.
The exhibition, by Redcar based photographer (Portrait of Britain winner 2023), aims to evoke a sense of connection and storytelling through his work, whether a personal project, commissioned or commercial. He has had public exhibitions and works with a range of commercial clients such as Hilton Hotels, The Royal Opera House, DFDS, Barker and Stonehouse, & North East Times Magazine.
Arctic Expressionswill explore life for Indigenous Peoples in North America’s Arctic regions, Alaska and Canada and will be at Kirkleatham Museum from 7 June to 28 September.
It will show how these resilient communities live with and adapt to socio-political and environmental changes, and how artistic expression is an important part of daily life.
As well as the exhibition, children will be engaged in schools as part of the British Museum in your classroom programme, developed in partnership with Tees Valley Museums. An object featured in the exhibition will visit Green Gates Primary School in Redcar and Errington Primary School in Marske. Children will have the opportunity to go on an educational journey to the Arctic through virtual lessons and hands-on experiences, creating their own artwork in response.
The exhibition will focus on themes such as seasonality, human-animal relationships and migration, showing historic and contemporary works from the British Museum collection, including new artwork from Alaska Native, Koyukon Dené and Iñupiaq artist Erin Ggaadimits Ivalu Gingrich. Titled Shedding Natchiayaaq from Kigiktaq, the work represents a seal’s transformation from infancy to youth. It will be displayed alongside a seal decoy helmet collected on Yorkshire-born explorer Captain Cook’s last voyage to North America, highlighting the profound spiritual and cultural significance of seals for Inuit.
Explore Kirkleatham Museum at Home
Whilst we were unable to visit Kirkleatham Museum, the museum along with local artists created their first online exhibition, ‘Living Through Lockdown’ which captured the stillness of lockdown and the rediscovery of nature. You can view the exhibition here.
The Museum also created a programme of virtual events, craft videos, and activities suitable for all ages inspired by things you would find at the Museum to be enjoyed in the comfort of your own home.
