Press
Releases |
 |
 |
Art open day at Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Media Centre
On Saturday 20 May 2006, the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ will open up a part of its art collection to the public in a unique exhibition at the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's White City offices.
Μύ
Portraits of nine Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Director-Generals will be on display, from the first - Lord Reith - up to the most recently unveiled portrait of Greg Dyke by British artist John Keane.
Μύ
Visitors will also be able to view Faces and Folklore: an unofficial history of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ, which draws together some of the quirkier and less known personalities and events from the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's past to mark the 80th anniversary year of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's first Royal Charter.
Μύ
Robin Reynolds, Head of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Heritage, said: "The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ has a modest but attractive art collection and we are constantly looking for ways to open it up to the public.
Μύ
"While we have lent parts of the collection to art galleries, this is a chance for the public to see the portraits in sequence and to understand the stories behind them."
Μύ
Rory O'Connell, Manager of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Heritage Collections, will give a short talk about the portraits and the accompanying exhibition throughout the day on 20 May.
Μύ
The exhibition at the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Media Centre in Wood Lane, London W12 is open for one day only - Saturday 20 May.
Μύ
It is free of charge. Admission is on the hour from 11.00am with last admission at 3.00pm.
Μύ
Notes to Editors
Μύ
The portraits of the Director-Generals were traditionally hung in the Council Chamber at Broadcasting House, London W1 but were placed in storage during the refurbishment of that building.
Μύ
The opening of the Media Centre with its modern well lit atria provided an opportunity to bring all the portraits together in one place, and a way to explain the succession and history of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ.
Μύ
There have been 14 Director-Generals of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ from John Reith in 1922 to the current Director-General Mark Thompson.
Μύ
Nine of them have had portraits commissioned and one, Sir William Haley, a bust by Jacob Epstein.
Μύ
Three Director-Generals - Ogilvie, Foot and Graves - were overlooked due to the pre-occupation with the Second World War.
Μύ
The most recent portrait of Greg Dyke was painted by artist John Keane and unveiled at the Media Centre on 2 May 2006.
Μύ
Other Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ portraitists have included Ruskin Spear, June Mendoza, Richard Foster, Tai Shan Schierenberg.
Μύ
The public will also be able to view the paintings during Open House on 16 and 17 September 2006 - further information at www.openhouselondon.org.
Μύ
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Press Office
Μύ
|
Printable version