Over 40,000 people have flocked to Ferens Art Gallery in the first two weeks of its reopening.
Since opening to the public on Friday 13 January, after its major refurbishment, the gallery has welcomed 10 times more visitors to the gallery compared to same period in 2015.
This 1000 per cent increase in numbers is unprecedented in the history of the gallery even following its extensive extension and refurbishment in 1992.
The gallery is celebrating 100 years since Thomas Robinson Ferens purchased the plot of land on which the building now stands. For the first time the Christ between Saints Paul and Peter (c.1320), a rare 14th-century panel painting by Pietro Lorenzetti is on display, following a four-year conservation project at the National Gallery. It is being shown alongside early Italian Renaissance masterpieces on loan from national partners as part of the ‘Siena to Hull: a masterpiece revealed’.
The striking Francis Bacon; Nervous System exhibition including five notorious ‘Screaming Popes’ and his recognised masterpiece Head VI (1949) have joined the gallery’s permanent collection and will be on display until 1 May 2017.
Councillor Terry Geraghty, Portfolio Holder for Culture and Leisure and Chair of Hull Culture and Leisure Limited, said:“We are staggered with the fantastic response the gallery has received since opening two weeks ago. The gallery is firmly on the cultural map and stands us in great stead for the upcoming weeks and months ahead when the gallery will bring more world renowned art to the city for everyone to enjoy.
“The extended opening hours on a Thursday evening and Sunday have been very well received and attracting so more people. Our staff are doing an excellent in welcoming the huge crowds ably assisted by a team of 2017 volunteers. We would like to thank all our visitors for their patience whilst waiting to enjoy the exhibitions on offer at the Ferens and Maritime Museum.”
Kirsten Simister, Curator of Art, said: “These amazing visitor numbers have completely blown the gallery team away. We are thrilled that the programme and collection redisplay are attracting so many people to the gallery. The new children’s gallery is also encouraging more families to explore and enjoy the gallery. There is so much more planned for the year and we are really excited for what is to come in 2017 and beyond.”
The popular Maritime Museum has also seen a massive increase in footfall. So far, since opening on 1 January 2017 the museum has welcomed over 36,000 people, with the Bowhead audio visual installation proving a big hit.
Entry is free to all museums and the art gallery, they are open: Monday – Saturday 10am – 5pm and Sunday 11am – 4.30pm. The Maritime Museum and Ferens Art Gallery are also open until 7.30pm every Thursday.
