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Celebrating 50 Years of Curating and Creating Contemporary Art

12 Aug 2019

Bonington Gallery has been a significant part of the cultural landscape of Nottingham for half a century. Its diverse and ambitious artistic programme has consistently presented the forefront of creative practice and through this has gained an national reputation.

The gallery is situated within the Bonington building, first opened on 14 October 1969 by Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent. This labyrinth of a modernist building is nestled in the heart of our City Campus and is home to a wide range of creative courses, providing a suitable context for an artistic programme that profiles a wide range of creative practice.

Over the past five decades, we’ve showcased visual and performing arts from across the world, reflected in the ongoing work to establish our archive. We’re committed to making the next 50 years as memorable as the first, starting now.

Image credit: Opening night of John Newling, Lost, 1991. Courtesy John Newling and Bonington Gallery
Image credit: Bonington building painting studio, 1971. Image courtesy The Architects’ Journal
Image credit: Installation view of Margaret Bryan Award, 1992, Philip Sagars, Karl Bretherton, Leslie Logue. Courtesy the artists and Bonington Gallery
Image credit: Installation view of Frank Stella: Recent Paintings, 1999. Courtesy Frank Stella and Bonington Gallery
Image credit: Opening night of John Newling, Lost, 1991. Courtesy John Newling and Bonington Gallery