a day ago
Glasgow Italian artwork collection to go on tour in China
Paintings, ceramics and sculptures which are expected to give a 'culturally-rich' view of the visual arts in Italy from 1400 to 1800 will be loaned out later this year.
It is hoped the 'Prosperous Symphony – Italian Treasures from Glasgow Museums' exhibition will boost tourism and trade links with China.
Glasgow councillors backed the tour, which is set to start in Shenzhen in September before visiting 'five or six' other cities, at a meeting last week. Items will return to Glasgow in 2028 and could then be displayed in Kelvingrove museum.
Following the meeting, a spokesperson for Glasgow Life, the council's culture and leisure arm, which runs the city's museums, said: 'As the first standalone touring exhibition of Italian artwork from Glasgow's museums to museums in China, it represents an exciting opportunity to build on the city's international strategy.
'China is a key overseas market, and this prestigious exchange will strengthen business, academic and civic relationships. It will also position Glasgow in cities across China as a culturally rich, must-visit destination, encouraging inward tourism.
'We are currently finalising which works will travel as part of the tour and will provide an update in due course. Glasgow Life will receive £30,000 from each venue hosting Prosperous Symphony – Italian Treasures from Glasgow Museums.'
A council report stated that alongside 33 paintings, the collection includes examples of ceramics, glass, marble sculpture, textile, arms and armour.
An exhibition of the city's Italian art went on tour to the United States in 2013 and all but one of the paintings and objects have been in storage since.
Glasgow Life will be working with NOMAD Exhibitions on the tour, which has estimated around 100,000 visitors per venue.
The council report added: 'With a new international strategy, regular trade missions, links between the city's universities, businesses and China and the targeting of a direct air route into the city, the timing to use an exhibition as cultural exchange and the backdrop for other initiatives is now.'
It stated Glasgow Airport is targeting a direct China to Glasgow air route to complement two direct flights per week — four in summer — between Edinburgh and Beijing.
Ideas to promote the tour include using the University of Glasgow's networks, as it has 9,000 Chinese students as well as alumni who now work in China.
Connections through Glasgow's chamber of commerce, which aims to attract inward investment from businesses in Beijing and Shanghai, will also be explored.
