The Ingram Collection

 Our September talk was by Jo Baring, Director and Curator of the Ingram Collection. It was richly illustrated and such a treat that it has taken me ages to feel I could write anything to sufficiently convey how magnificently inspiring I found it. Chris Ingram started collecting  Modern British Art a number of years ago, having been passionate about art since the late 1960s, and Jo was a Director at Christie's when she joined Chris Ingram in organising the work he does with the collection. 

Her brief is to organise sharing the art with the widest possible audience; works are loaned widely making them the most significant and publicly accessible collection. There are around 600 works of art in the collection. 

Works from the Ingram Collection are on medium term loan to The Lightbox, a wonderful gallery in Woking, Chris Ingram's home town; 4 exhibitions a year are drawn exclusively from the Ingram Collection. Keeping in mind the aim of making art accessible, The Lightbox has exhibitions where people can touch the sculptures. In 2019 they collaborated with James Russell with 130 works loaned to the Ferens Gallery in Hull, in an exhibition entitled 'Reflection' considering 'Can art help with the national identity crisis in the time of Brexit?' In 2017 100 pieces were lent to the Jerwood Gallery in Hastings, I found this article about the exhibition in Home And Garden magazine. Also the Jerwood Gallery is now called Hastings Contemporary.

Jo gave us a slide show to illustrate the variety of works in the collection, starting with one of the Meat Porter sculptures by Ralph Brown RA in the courtyard of the Royal Academy. It's great to see it on public display, because of its size, it would be hard to live with at home.

Highlights of works in the Ingram Collection include 'Lifts' by Cyril Power of the Grosvenor School, and below Sybil Andrews 'Windmill' a lino cut print

I think Jo described Edward Burra as one of the 'pockets of brilliance' in the collection, and this work below 'Ropes and Lorries' 1942-3 is often mentioned.

Chris Ingram is still acquiring works, but bought Burra years ago, apparently he says 'When others zig, I zag'

This painting above 'Sea and Rocks' is by Laura Knight. The biggest Laura Knight exhibition in over 50 years has opened recently at the MK Gallery in Milton Keynes, definitely one not to miss.

I loved this Nevinson 'La Corniche' painted in 1920 a depiction of a town on the Cote d'Azur

The 'Garden of Eden' by William Roberts above is a beautifully composed painting, had to be removed when it was first displayed. The stag in the background is wonderful. There are 18 works by William Roberts in the Ingram Collection and more works on paper.

The last piece I have included is 'Seated Woman' by Henry Moore 1947-9 and of it Chris Ingram says: 

''I bought this because I liked it, not because it was by Henry Moore. I’ve never been swayed by 'names' or who are considered important artists. I have always bought things I liked and this has always served me well."I feel that summarises a great approach to collecting, and it has really worked.

Thank you once again Jo Baring for introducing us to the Ingram Collection and some of the wonders therein.