January 27, 2007 sees a landmark new building designed by Erick van Egeraat Associated Architects become the home of mima, Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art.

The UK’s newest gallery of modern and contemporary art opens with Draw, Conversations Around the Legacy of Drawing.

This inaugural exhibition shows drawing by some of the most significant artists of the 20th century in relationship to works by a number of outstanding contemporary artists.

Artists featured are:
Pablo Picasso – Chantal Joffe
Henri Matisse – Chris Ofili
Marcel Duchamp – Ceal Floyer
Jackson Pollock – DJ Simpson
Francis Bacon – Damien Hirst
Andy Warhol – Gavin Turk
Joseph Beuys – David Musgrave

The resulting dialogues or conversations created around the practice of drawing enable us to engage with the work of one artist through the ideas of one of another and to expand our understanding of drawing.

The exhibition encourages visitors to question what it is to draw – from historical works in historical works in ink, pencil and charcoal to the diverse media and approaches seen in contemporary drawing practice.

Draw will begin to establish mima’s profile as an institution strongly linked with the subject of drawing.

This is partly due to the legacy of the Cleveland International Drawing Biennale (1973-1996) and also to the more recent drawings acquired for its collection through the contemporary Art Society Special Collection Scheme with funding form the National Lottery.

It will also highlight mima’s commitment to modern as well as contemporary art, with a collection and exhibition policy that focuses on art from 1900 to the present. The gallery brings together the town’s art collections for the first time.

Funded by Middlesbrough Council, Arts Council England, One NorthEast-SRB and Single Programme, Government Office North East, Northern Rock Foundation and the Christina Foyle Foundation, the £19.2 million gallery and adjacent public square will transform the heart of Middlesbrough.

Draw is sponsored by Dickinson Dees, one of the UK’s top 50 law firms, and delivered in association with NewcastleGateshead world-class programme of festivals and events.

The gallery will open to the public for a sneak preview of Draw from 5.30-9pm on Saturday January 27 following a spectacular firework display outside the gallery. Normal opening hours will then apply – Tuesday to Saturday 10am-5pm, Sun 12 noon-4pm. Closed Monday.

Admission to mima is free
mima
Centre Square, Middlesbrough TS1 2AZ
Tel 01642 726 720
Website