SHEFFIELD.- Going Public: International Art Collectors in Sheffield is set to continue at the Graves Gallery this autumn with one of the UK’s finest private collections of modern and contemporary art. Opening on Saturday 2 September 2018, Going Public – The Kirkland Collection will bring world-class work by artists including Donald Judd, Bridget Riley, Josef and Anni Albers, Carl Andre, Lewis Baltz and more to the city.

An ambitious series of exhibitions, summit and seminar events, Going Public: International Art Collectors in Sheffield was launched in 2015 by Museums Sheffield and project co-originators Mark Doyle and Sebastien Montabonel in collaboration with partner organisations across the city. The project, which shows highlights from some of Europe’s finest private collections of contemporary and twentieth century art in Sheffield, was established to lead a national conversation about the future of regional museums and debate the question ‘how can public and private sectors work together better?’.

Reflecting a passion for photography, minimalism and geometric abstraction, Jack Kirkland’s personal collection brings together work by some of the most important international artists of the past 75 years. This new exhibition showcases personally selected highlights from the collection, including painting, sculpture, works on paper and photography. Works on display will include Carl Andre’s, Nineteenth Copper Cardinal (1975), Anni Albers’ Study for Triadic II (1969), Donald Judd’s Untitled (1986), Bridget Riley’s Red Overture (2012) and Lewis Baltz’s New Industrial Parks - Complete Works (1974).

Based in Nottingham, Kirkland is a Main Board Director of Bowmer & Kirkland, one of the UK's largest privately owned construction and development groups. He has been collecting for some 20 years and is currently Chairman of Nottingham Contemporary, a member of Tate’s International Council, and a trustee of the Bridget Riley Art Foundation. In 2011, he established The Ampersand Foundation to fund visual arts activities throughout the UK.

Jack Kirkland said: ‘I was delighted to get the invitation to show some of my collection here in Sheffield. Sheffield is a city very close to my heart – my late Mum was from Rotherham and I’m extremely proud of the building work that Bowmer & Kirkland have done and are doing here. Developing this exhibition with Kirstie has been very enjoyable and I hope that the show gives some visitors some of the pleasure these works have given me over the years.’

Kirstie Hamilton, Head of Exhibitions and Displays at Museums Sheffield said: ‘Jack Kirkland has brought together work by some of the most significant artists working in hard edged painting, minimalism and photography. We’re thrilled to continue Going Public with this new exhibition showcasing some truly remarkable highlights from Jack’s collection at the Graves Gallery.’

The exhibition is accompanied by a seminar event which will see regional museums and gallery professionals explore the practical considerations of creating meaningful, mutually beneficial relationships with private collectors.