The Great British Art Debate is a partnership project between Tate Britain, Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, Norfolk Museums & Archaeology Service and Museums Sheffield.

The Great British Art Debate is supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund, and by the MLA’s Renaissance programme.

Laing Art Gallery New Bridge StreetNewcastle upon Tyne

Tel: (0191) 232 7734Textphone: 18001 0191 232 7734www.twmuseums.org.uk/laing laing@twmuseums.org.ukFind us on Facebook, Myspace and Flickr

This leaflet can be made available in a variety of formats. Please call (0191) 232 7734

Free entry

Open: Monday to Saturday 10am – 5pmSunday 2pm – 5pm

Coming soon...

John Martin will be the subject of a major new exhibition at the Laing in 2011. Your contributions to the ‘taster’ exhibitions will help to shape the events which will run alongside the exhibition.

Turner or Martin - who is your great British artist? See John Martin’s The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah on show alongside a painting by JMW Turner and put yourself in the shoes of an art critic. Cast your vote and find out about John Martin’s place in art history.

Turner versus Martin 13 March – 2 May 2010

The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (1852) (detail) by John Martin

19 September 2009 – 2 May 2010

The Great British Art Debate

Free entry

Newcastle Upon Tyne

The Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise (1823 to 1827) (detail) by John Martin.

What makes ‘great’ art? What does British art mean to you? Is the art you see in galleries relevant to you and your life today?

These are some of the questions we will be asking at the Laing, as we unveil a new series of ‘taster’ exhibitions, starting in September 2009 as part of The Great British Art Debate. This is a series of events and exhibitions which explores how art affects your life and identity in Britain today.

We will be exploring the work of locally-born artist John Martin whose dramatic views and apocalyptic paintings held 19th century audiences captivated, and have influenced designers, film-makers, musicians and artists throughout the years.

Image courtesy the artists: Simon & Tom Bloor, Every increased possession loads us with new weariness, Installation view PS1 /MoMA, New York, 2004.

An investigation into the influence John Martin’s work has had on film-making, from Jason and the Argonauts (1963) to The Clash of the Titans (1981).

Let us know which films you love and whether you think film-makers are influenced by Martin’s work.

John Martin’s work was strongly influenced by his birthplace in Northumberland. Artists Simon and Tom Bloor will create a new installation at the Laing – bring along a photo of a place that is important to you and use printmaking techniques to contribute to the installation.

Event: Saturday 19 September, 2 – 4pm Simon and Tom Bloor: Drop in to meet the artists and contribute to their print installation.

My Native Vale19 September – 8 November 2009

John Martin Goes to Hollywood14 November 2009 – 10 January 2010

Artist Luke Caulfield’s portraits of heavy metal fans will be exhibited alongside a karaoke booth – come and listen to some records, sing some songs and find out how British art has links to popular culture today including alternative music culture. Album artwork which has been influenced by Martin’s work will also be on show.

Rebel Nation 16 January – 7 March 2010

USA Twin (detail) by Luke Caufield © the artist.

Image: The Bard (1817) (detail) by John Martin

The Ten Commandments (1956) dir. Cecil B Demille. Source - BFI Stills