AN exhibition of works by leading contemporary artists, rarely seen outside London, opens in Cumbria this weekend.

Editions - Best Of British showcases pieces by Grayson Perry, Frank Auerbach and Barbara Rae along with works by Eileen Cooper, Stephen Chambers and John Hoyland.

The show, at Castlegate House gallery in Cockermouth runs from Saturday June 3 to Saturday July 8.

Gallery owner Steve Swallow said: "These works are rarely seen outside London. Because these are individually produced editions by the artists it’s a relatively affordable way to own work by some of the top names in British art


Frank Auerbach "A great deal of our clients are in London and the south east and we visit many exhibitions down there. We felt it was high time these sort of names were available to seen not just in London but in the north west as well."

Many of the works shown are illustrated in publications of the artists' work, including those by Barbara Rae which appear in her Print publication.

All works are editions by the artists; editions being individually produced etchings, screenprints and in the case of Grayson, embroidery.

Steve added: "Grayson Perry is internationally known now and probably came to most people’s consciousness when he won the Turner Prize.

"He’s a controversial character. Not just within the art world but also within the wider public arena.

"He is versatile. He’s best known for his ceramics but over the past few years he’s become incredibly well known for his works in textile art and we’re massively proud to have obtained one of his very rare embroideries."


Stephen Chambers Another major artist featured in Editions is Frank Auerbach.

Steve says being able to show his work in Cockermouth is a significant development for Castlegate House: "Frank Auerbach is arguably the greatest living British artist. He is now in his late eighties, came to prominence in the 50s and 60s and was part of the circle which included Francis Bacon.

“He had a major exhibition at the Tate in London a couple of years ago and one of his paintings sold at the David Bowie auction, last year, for almost three million pounds.

“His etchings are individually created works, these are not photographic reproductions, and this is work by a name, and of a form, that you would never normally see outside very selective, rare exhibitions in London.

"This is a great way to own an individually produced work by a major name within British art without having to remortgage your house or sell a minor internal organ. That said, the Grayson Perry embroidery, Britain is Best, would require some level of anatomical removal, but what a thing to have!

“The work on show has a broad appeal. Some of it is thought provoking, some of it is decorative. It’s work by six leading artists created at the peak of their careers and it’s a chance to see something very special indeed.

“We’re immensely proud. The fact that we’ve been able to obtain these works is testament to how the gallery’s seen but is also huge thrill to bring the work to northern audience.”