William Gear 1915-1997: The painter that Britain forgot
In the centenary of his birth, Towner is delighted to present a major retrospective of the work of William Gear, one of the leading abstract British painters of his generation.
Past exhibitions
A Radical View: William Gear as Curator 1958–64
The abstract painter William Gear (1915–1997) was Towner’s curator from 1958 until 1964. During this time, he added to the diversity and modernity of the permanent Collection with his […]
Richard Billingham: Panoramic
Capturing the British countryside, from the South Downs to the Norfolk Fen and Constable’s Country in the East of England, Richard Bilingham’s photographs expose the rich textures […]
Twixt Two Worlds
11 October 2014 - 4 January 2015 (free)
Twixt Two Worlds explores the transition between still and moving image across photography, magic lantern slides and cinema, with a collection of early cinema apparatus and ephemera alongside moving image works by contemporary artists such as Douglas Gordon, Saskia Olde Wolbers and Jane & Louise Wilson. Curated by Gaia Tedone in partnership with Royal Pavilion & Museums, Brighton & Hove and Whitechapel Gallery.
Re:Generate
Sun 30 November - Fri 12 December
Inspired by the Towner Collection, Generate's participants participants each selected an artwork that motivated them.
John Virtue: The Sea
17 January – 12 April 2015
In a striking departure from the huge paintings of London which formed the subject matter of his highly acclaimed exhibition at the National Gallery as Associate Artist in 2005, these new paintings take the vast, dark expanse of the North Sea as a central theme.
East Sussex Open 2015
East Sussex Open brings together the best artists and makers from across the East Sussex region – from Rye to Eastbourne to Brighton & Hove.
Peggy Angus: Designer, Teacher, Painter
12 July - 21 September 2014 (ticketed)
In this large-scale exhibition, Towner will bring together the wide range of work by the influential and inspirational artist and designer Peggy Angus. The exhibition will include her early illustrations, portraits and landscape paintings, and her Modernist design work with wallpapers and tiles.
Connective Culture exhibition
Sat 20–Sun 28 September
Digital resources created by children and young people working with specialists from Eastbourne’s Tech Resort CIC are on show at Towner.
Designing the Everyday: from Bloomsbury and Ravilious to the present day
17 May - 31 August 2014 (free)
Towner celebrates the anniversary of the Modern Art for the Table exhibition at Harrods in 1934, with a display featuring some of the greatest names of British art including Paul Nash, Graham Sutherland, Laura Knight and Duncan Grant and a wider survey of artists working in British industry during the 20th century.