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A new exhibition showing the work of one of Britain’s most distinctive contemporary artists has opened at ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ Leicester (²ÝÁñÊÓƵ).

Five decades of work by renowned painter Brendan Neiland will be showcased at The Gallery on ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ’s campus until Saturday 9 February.



The exhibition, titled Surface Tension, was opened by ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ Vice-Chancellor Professor Dominic Shellard, who said that the exhibition reflects ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ’s open, global and outward-facing outlook. 

Brendan Neiland, who was awarded an honorary degree by ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ in 2013, has created some of the most memorable images of modern metropolitan life. He has been featured in leading galleries around the world including the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Tate Gallery in London.

Neiland’s work is informed by the practice of photography and influenced by a sense of the poetics of lights and pictorial structure. He often features large glass or steel structures and shows mirrored light.



This exhibition of more than 60 paintings gives visitors the chance to experience Neiland’s work from the last 60 years and documents his growth as an artist.

“This stretches from the time I was in Birmingham to the present day,” he said. “For me to see it this afternoon was quite extraordinary because you don’t expect to see 60 years of work.

“When I saw the colour of the next work I thought ‘wow’, it’s quite extraordinary. It’s happened in my later years and I’m so pleased that I’ve been able to reach this stage.”

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To mark the opening of the exhibition, an introduction was given by Paul Finch, director of the World Architecture Festival. He said that the work show the Neiland’s journey as an artist over the last 60 years.

Neiland has had a long association with ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ and when he addressed the audience he announced that he will work with ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ students next year to pass on his expertise and experience.

You can visit the Surface Tension exhibition at The Gallery, ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ, between 12pm to 5pm Monday to Saturday.