PITZHANGER
To the Manor reborn
Acclaimed artist
Anish Kapoor is coming
to Ealing to exhibit
his work when the
historic Pitzhanger
Manor & Gallery
reopens to the
public next month.
Dan Stephens
reports.
B
ased in Walpole
Park, the Grade I
listed home
of visionary
British architect
Sir John Soane is
set to reopen on
16 March – with
have worked so
its gallery hosting
hard to secure the
an exhibition by
investment necessary
the Turner Prize-
to realise its full
winning sculptor.
historical impact.”
The reopening marks
Clare Gough,
Anish Kapoor
the successful completion
director of Pitzhanger
of a £12million conservation
Manor & Gallery Trust, said:
and restoration project funded primarily
“Anish Kapoor is a brilliant artist to
through grants obtained from Heritage
present at Pitzhanger because his work
Lottery Fund, Arts Council England
reflects a number of themes in Soane’s
and others. The project was conceived
original work. For example, some of his
by Ealing Council and managed in
sculptures will echo Soane’s complex use
partnership with Pitzhanger Manor &
of mirrors and light.”
Gallery Trust, which has guided the
The project has reinstated a number
building from near-dereliction to a must-
of important elements of Soane’s
visit destination in just three years.
original design, including a conservatory,
Council leader Julian Bell said:
which was originally demolished
“Pitzhanger Manor is the crown jewel
in 1901, and a central roof light. A
of Ealing’s heritage. This is why we
colonnade connecting the manor and
gallery buildings has also been
recreated and Soane’s
original intricate paint
schemes, which were
overpainted in the
1830s, have also
been meticulously
reinstated
throughout.
However, Clare
insisted: “It is not
just connoisseurs
of art and
architecture who
will enjoy it. There
will be something
for everyone,
whether you are
discovering local history
for the first time or already
have an interest in architecture,
Soane, or art; or simply want to
enjoy lunch in our café-restaurant, built
within Soane’s walled kitchen garden.
“There will be regular activities
and events for all ages and we will be
looking forward to welcoming as many
people as possible through our historic
doors next month.”
MORE INFO
n Read the full story,
and an interview
with Clare Gough, at
ealingnewsextra.co.uk/
features/pitzhanger-reopens
n And look out for the April
edition of Around Ealing
magazine when we will go behind
the historic doors of Pitzhanger
Manor & Gallery.
around ealing February 2019
9