The Lightbox puts on remarkable show to welcome VIP guests and world-class exhibition
The art worlds’ great and good gathered on Thursday night at The Lightbox gallery and museum in Woking, where the private view and celebration dinner for ARTIST ROOMS: Jenny Holzer was held to celebrate the work of American conceptual artist Jenny Holzer and welcome a very special, VIP guest list.
Sir Nicolas Serota, Director of Tate and Anthony d’Offay, British art dealer and provider of one of the greatest gifts of art ever to the nation, ARTIST ROOMS, were welcomed as guests alongside Lucy Askew, Managing Curator of ARTIST ROOMS and Andrew MacDonald, Acting Director of The Art Fund. They were joined by Woking’s very own art collector and entrepreneur, Chris Ingram, and chairman of Woking Football Club, Shahid Azeem.
At the private view, good friends and trustees of the gallery, as well as the young people involved in the Look Ahead and Young Curators projects, who contributed artwork to the exhibition, all shared in the momentous occasion, described as a “huge coup” for the gallery. It is the first time contemporary international artwork has been exhibited within the walls of the Marks Barfield, award-winning building and a true testament to the hard work that takes place at The Lightbox.
In the speeches, the new Chairman of The Lightbox, Roger Hawksworth, introduced Sir Nicolas Serota, who in his speech expressed how impressed he was with the exhibition and the fantastic amount of work that had been achieved at The Lightbox. He praised the architecture of the building and the “astonishing achievements” of The Lightbox as well as the extraordinary generosity of Anthony d’Offay and the work of The Art Fund in bringing exhibitions like Jenny Holzer through ARTIST ROOMS to the wider public. Andrew Macdonald of The Art Fund also spoke to thank The Lightbox and applauded Anthony d’Offay and ARTIST ROOMS as an inspirational idea that enables the public all over the UK to view international art work. Director of The Lightbox, Marilyn Scott, then conveyed her appreciation to all involved. “I am in particular, immensely grateful to Anthony (d’Offay) for bringing this great body of work to Woking and to young people.” She also thanked the tremendous efforts of Exhibitions Manager, Michael Regan, and Education Manager, Lynn Yeo for their dedication in bringing the exhibition and educational programme together. She ended by re stating a question written in the Guardian by Jonathan Jones who asked “Is Woking ready for Jenny Holzer?”
The celebration dinner, to which 60 guests were invited, was held in the Ambassador Room of the gallery; a room lined with paintings and prints from The Ingram Collection overlooking the beautiful Basingstoke canal.
At intervals throughout the meal, provided by Palette, three further speeches were given to the private audience. The first from Chris Ingram conveyed to the guests his praise for work at The Lightbox, the ARTIST ROOMS exhibition, and artist Elisabeth Frink, whose work draws parallels to the work of Jenny Holzer, as well as his passion for art.
Anthony d’Offay later gave a toast to the next phase and 2010 launch of ARTIST ROOMS. He also spoke of his enthusiasm for the team and the work achieved revealing a genuine affection for it; “I really really love The Lightbox,” he said. He also relayed a goodwill message from Jenny Holzer whom he had spoken with in Basle a few weeks ago.
Marilyn Scott appropriately closed the evening with a few words of heartfelt thanks to all her guests – “It has been an evening of celebration and of thanks which is so appropriate on the festival of Thanksgiving…”
ARTIST ROOMS: Jenny Holzer is open to the public until 21 February 2010. Entrance is Free.