Revealed—the pictures adorning UK prime minister’s house as part of new initiative

World leaders passing by way of No 10 Downing Road—the UK’s seat of political energy—will get a glimpse of life in Newcastle and north-east England by way of 9 works displayed within the hall main from the prime minister’s well-known black door by way of to the Cupboard Room.

The objects are on show at No 10 as a part of an annual initiative whereby the Authorities Artwork Assortment (GAC) selects a venue outdoors the capital to be its “museum in residence” with an invite to exhibit works for a 12 months. The items, all drawn from the Laing Artwork Gallery in Newcastle, embody Louis Grimshaw’s St Nicholas Road (1902); Victor Pasmore’s Lady with Mirror (round 1942-45) and Flora Glover’s The Flood (round 1941).

A press release from the UK division of tradition, media and sport says that 5 of the work signify Newcastle’s cityscape, whereas the others level to the various artwork scene of the north-east. “The entire works are by influential artists from the realm, who taught at its artwork faculties, or who’ve been impressed by its landmarks and landscapes,” provides the DCMS.

The Conservative arts minister Lord Parkinson (Stephen Parkinson) says that the scheme is a chance to exhibits works from galleries throughout the UK. “All types of individuals get to see the works, from presidents to key staff [such as employees of the country’s National Health Service (NHS)],” he provides.

Parkinson, who’s from North Shields within the nation’s north-east, says that the selection of Laing Artwork Gallery, an area establishment, is a “completely happy coincidence”. He provides: “The very first thing they’ll see after strolling by way of that well-known entrance door is a large portrait of the Tyne Bridge [Edward Dickey, The Building of the Tyne Bridge, 1928).” The Grade II-listed bridge is the region’s best-known architectural landmarks.

Julie Milne, chief curator of art galleries at Tyne & Wear Archives and Museums (Laing Art Gallery) tells The Art Newspaper: “One of the most enjoyable things was working with the GAC which looked at our own collection from a different perspective. It is also interesting to see these works in this context [in the domestic setting of No 10].” An official occasion inaugurating the show will happen later this month.

The Artwork Newspaper understands that subsequent 12 months’s “museum in residence” is Cartwright Corridor Artwork Gallery in Bradford, coinciding with the Bradford Metropolis of Tradition pageant 2025. Earlier individuals embody Glynn Vivian Artwork Gallery in Swansea.

The GAC, which has museum standing, has its core work funded by central authorities. The official line is that the gathering “promotes British artwork and performs a key position in British cultural diplomacy, delivering an expression of Britain’s mushy energy, its tradition and its values”.