Friends put art at the heart of M Shed.

The Friends of Bristol Art Gallery have been working hard behind the scenes to ensure art is at the heart of M Shed.

Two new special commissions, supported by the Friends group are set to be revealed when M Shed opens on Friday, June 17, 2011. Both pieces are by internationally acclaimed artists: Richard Long and Kate Malone. Both artists have Bristol-based roots and both have works in the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery.

Bristol-born, Richard Long has been commissioned to create one of his renowned, large-scale mud works for M Shed. Using mud from the River Avon and applying it to the walls of the West Foyer, Richard will create the work with his bare hands.

Richard Long is known for radical rethinking of the relationship between art and landscape and is expected to start work on his piece in the next week or two, when contractors at M Shed complete the space for his work.

And ceramicist Kate Malone is already at the stage where her commissioned Lady Gourd shaped pot is ready for glazing and firing. Kate Malone attended Henbury School and Bristol Polytechnic and has been producing her own highly-stylised, unique pots for over 30 years.

Her Lady Gourd, called ‘Fruits of my Life’ will be on display in the Bristol Life gallery and will feature natural forms, such as leaping fish, a pineapple, blossom andacorns.   (Below, Kate with the gourd in its early stages, including examples of detail. See the finished article above - photo by Adrian Sassoon)

Joanna Brown, Chairman of the Friends of Bristol Art Gallery, said:

“We are delighted to be able to make a real contribution to M Shed by commissioning these artists to create something special for everyone to enjoy. The artists are very different – but they have their roots in Bristol and it is fitting they are represented in M Shed.

“The Friends of Bristol Art Gallery see these commissions as part of their on-going and continued support for Bristol’s museums. We are always ready to welcome new members.”