Sysco Productions

SYSCO PRODUCTIONS JOINS THE AUCKLAND PROJECT TEAM TO HIGHLIGHT SPANISH ART OF THE GOLDEN AGE

Museum & Heritage

28/06/2021

The Auckland Project is located in the market town of Bishop Auckland, County Durham and includes a range of venues including museums, galleries and parkland at the heart of which is Auckland Castle. 

Auckland Castle has been home to a significant collection of paintings by major Spanish artist Francisco de Zurbarán since the 18th century, and plans are underway to highlight Spanish art and artists of the Golden Age as part of the evolving developments by The Auckland Project.

Residing in a 19th century former bank and adjacent school building in Bishop Auckland’s Market Place, the brand new Spanish Gallery will comprise 15 exhibition areas spread across four floors. The vision sitting at the heart of this project is to put the Zurbarán paintings into context by displaying other Spanish works of art in a way that is exciting, immersive, engaging and thought-provoking. 

As the first gallery in the country dedicated to this genre of art, the Spanish Gallery will showcase a series of Spanish paintings and sculptures from public and private collections, in partnership with institutes and galleries from all around the world. Exhibits will include works of art from the medieval period onwards, with particular emphasis on the 16th and 17th century - the ‘Golden Age’ of Spanish art, some of which have never previously been on public display in the UK.

Led by award-winning designers Studio MB, working with curators and colleagues from The Auckland Project, the fit-out will be completed by Marcon Fit Out with Sysco Productions supporting the installation of the audiovisual narratives as part of the gallery interpretation. 

Clare Baron, The Auckland Project’s Head of Exhibitions, says: “This is an exciting moment for all of us at The Auckland Project, as plans for the Spanish Gallery - many years in the making - are now becoming a reality. Thanks to the creativity, experience and dedication of our design team and fit out contractors, we look forward to welcoming visitors later this year.”

Craig Mann, director of Studio MB, adds: “The Spanish Gallery will provide visitors with a way of seeing Spain through its art, whilst also showing that this is art worth looking at. The result will be an immersive visitor journey and experience that offers rewards, surprises and pauses, creating something imaginative and entirely unexpected. We are pleased to be working with a creative, experienced and professional project team to bring the Spanish Gallery to life.”

The Auckland Project’s Spanish Gallery is due to open to the public in Autumn 2021.

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