In an exhibition that marked the centenary of the Towner Collection in 2023, the gallery described a policy which, over the years, has maintained a focus on landscapes, whilst adapting to shifting perceptions of what ‘landscape’ means. Initial collecting was restricted to pictures of Sussex by contemporary artists and in 1936 two iconic paintings by Eric Ravilious, Downs in Winter and Dolly Engine, were acquired for the Collection. The Towner has had a long and important connection with Ravilious and now has the most significant public collection of his work. His ability to see design qualities within a landscape is very apparent in his paintings. In much of his work there is also the suggestion of human impact on the landscape by the inclusion of such features as fences and roads.
Earlier this year, the Towner Collection acquired fifteen works by Raymond Spurrier who was an avid fan of Ravilious’s work. Raymond’s distinctive style often reflects his own fascination with the anthropogenic influences on modern landscapes which are depicted within his characteristic elements of pattern and design. The recent inclusion of Raymond’s work in the Towner Collection brings the total number of his works in national collections to twenty-seven. All these works have been brought together in a new Showcase feature. At the same time, other website galleries have also been updated.