A South Coast daily has helped persuade its local council to sell-off part of a £180m art collection which had remained largely hidden from the public.

The Southern Daily Echo carried a series of stories highlighting the fact that Southampton City Council was ‘hoarding’ thousands of pictures which it had no room to display.

An investigation by the paper revealed that of the 3,700 items owned by the council only 200 could be shown at the City Art Gallery, with the rest stored in vaults.

Now the council’s Tory administration is to sell off some of the works of art to raise funds towards a £15m Titanic Exhibition.

Echo editor Ian Murray said he was delighted some of the money locked up in the art collection was going to be put to good use, but warned the paper would be keeping a careful eye on where funds went.

Under the slogan – Show Us The Monet! – the paper had called for a review of how many works the city needed, what could be sold off and how the money could be better used in supporting the arts.

“We appreciate this is like selling the family silver of the people of Southampton and, although the paper supports the sell off of some works, it must be to make use of valuable funds in a sensible way,” said Ian, who admitted he has been labeled a ‘Philistine’ by some art lovers in the city.

“I do get some hate mail from art fans, but I tend to think anyway that the Philistines got a bad press.

“I can understand that some people will be worried that works that have been donated to the city or acquired over the years may be lost, but to have so many pieces locked away unseen in the vaults is madness.

“At least if they are sold to other collections they will go on show and be seen.”

The Daily Echo began its investigation into the city’s art collection after a previous Lib Dem administration spent £250,000 on buying a new painting by modern artist Bridget Riley.

The paper discovered that thousands of pieces – including works by Turner and Picasso – lay unseen in the vaults.

“When we asked the council what the collection was worth we were told it was around £150m then, but they weren’t certain as it wasn’t even insured. That was shocking in itself. Now the value has been confirmed at £180m!” added Ian.

“Here was a city where little was being spent on heritage and was desperate to create a new image that would attract visitors. It seemed a no-brainer that they should sell off some of the art in the crypt to fund a way forward.”

The Conservatives took control of the city council at the last local elections and this month confirmed they would be looking to sell off some art work to raise funds.

Art experts have been brought in to identify which pieces can be sold and their potential sale value.

Comments

Adam Postans (29/07/2009 10:03:19)
To my former colleagues at the Echo. Show Us The Monet. I see what you did there. Good to see the puns haven’t died out at Redbridge towers. Nice campaign.

Brian Sewell (29/07/2009 15:49:18)
I’m glad the paper didn’t Turner blind eye to this story

Victoria Sponge (29/07/2009 15:59:39)
Glad to see the council didn’t take the easel way out.

Damian Hirst (29/07/2009 16:06:14)
The council should have built an art gallery and put the paintings in a Tracey Emin-ent position

Picasso van Gogh (29/07/2009 16:23:21)
I think your flippant comments are not helpings sch-much. Ze council could’ve have just “brushed” this under ze carpet. Oh – stop it. Brushed!! You’re killing me!!!!

Sotherby’s (29/07/2009 16:27:32)
I think there’s manet more puns to come

Ace Theet (30/07/2009 09:33:28)
The Echo was right to take action but why couldn’t the council simply change the exhibits periodically? That way, everything it owned would have got a public viewing every so often and it would surely have encouraged more visits to the gallery.

Jackson (30/07/2009 12:16:11)
What a load of old Pollocks!

richard shone (11/08/2009 17:57:32)
As someone who has known the City Art Collection for many years and has given a group of drawings to the collection, I am appalled that it should be used as a cash-cow to fund other initiatives. The collection is internationally renowned, especially for its modern British paintings. It is completely untrue that works are locked away in the sense that they can’t be seen. Anyone can make an appointment and see what is in store. The collection is frequently rotated. One of the problems however is that every time there is a special temporary exhibition, part of the permanent collection has to be removed. What the Council should surely do is expand the gallery into adjoining rooms of the building for special exhibitions; then we could see much more of the permanent collection. In recent years this famous gallery which should be a jewel in Southampton’s crown has become underfunded and understaffed.
Ian Murray of the Echo is I’m sure delighted to be called a Philistine – almost a badge of honour these days – but he should take this problem extremely seriously The consequences for other museums who have sold works from their collections have in some cases been entirely negative in the museum’s status and its ability to obtain grant-funding. This will surely happen to the City Collection if the Council proceeds with this misguided policy. A great Titanic Experience is about to open in belfast. Do we need another (poorer) one in Southampton, glamourising the deaths of so many people. Think again, SCC!
Richard Shone
Editor and writer.