“One of the most intelligently original – and entertaining – painters of our time” - Norbert Lynton, Author of The Story of Modern Art

This autumn, mima gives over all its major gallery spaces to the work of Middlesbrough-born William Tillyer, in the largest presentation by a single artist at mima since the gallery’s opening in 2007. Tillyer’s work is held and has been shown in many museums and galleries both nationally and internationally, but his work is surprisingly little known in this country and in his home region.

Mima is excited to be showing paintings, watercolours, sculptures and drawings, work which is visually sumptuous and beautiful to look at, concerned with colour, texture and form. A highlight will be 50 of Tillyer’s watercolours, many of which are rooted in the landscape of North Yorkshire as well as those made on his extensive travels around the world. The exhibition, which covers Tillyer’s 50 year career, will also include a huge digitally manipulated watercolour commissioned by mima, plus the spectacular 7 metre Skydancer, as well as lesser known early conceptual pieces. This is a major opportunity to discover and celebrate the work of an astonishingly talented artist who is admired by fellow artists, critics and collectors.

William Tillyer was born September 25, 1938, the son of a Middlesbrough hardware store owner. He was educated at the Middlesbrough College of Art before going on the study at the Slade school of Art, London and Stanley William Hayter’s renowned print workshop, Atelier 17, Paris. In 1980 Tillyer returned to North Yorkshire and has lived and worked near Middlesbrough since then.

Tillyer has lectured at universities around the world. He is represented by Bernard Jacobson Gallery in London and New York and his work is held internationally in many museum and corporate art collections including Tate, The Arts Council Collection, Museum of Modern Art New York the Hepworth Wakefield, V&A, Bank of America and Broadgate, as well as private collections including those of David Bowie and Charles Saatchi.

Tillyer’s works will be on display simultaneously across venues in the North East and Yorkshire including National Park Gallery, Danby showing a selection of watercolours, and Platform A Middlesbrough, showing sculptural pieces never previously exhibited.

The exhibition will be accompanied by a series of talks and events. mima will also produce an exhibition catalogue to accompany the show with an essay by American poet and critic John Yau.

Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art
Centre Square
Middlesbrough TS1 2AZ United Kingdom
Ph. +44 (0)16 42726720
mima@middlesbrough.gov.uk
www.visitmima.com

Opening hours
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday from 10.00am to 4.30pm
Thursday from 10.00am to 7.00pm
Sunday from 12.00pm to 4.00pm