Work of JMW Turner goes on show at Walsall Art Gallery

Recognised as a leader in the fields of history, landscape and marine painting, Joseph Mallord William Turner challenged accepted conventions in art, often shocking his contemporaries with his techniques and candid portrayal of the world.

As part of the exhibition, called Legacies, Turner's first exhibited oil painting Fisherman at Sea, from 1796, will go in display, alongside modern work inspired by the man himself.

Legacies will present oil paintings, sketchbooks and watercolours from the Turner Bequest, held by Tate, alongside art by some of the most significant artists of our time who have made work inspired by Turner, or exploring themes and subjects typical to his art.

Artists include Christopher Le Brun, Gerry Fox, Susan Hiller, Idris Khan, Elizabeth Magill, Cornelia Parker, Bob and Roberta Smith and John Smith.

Chris Wilkinson, marketing officer at the New Art Gallery, said: "Considered together, the included artworks provide an interesting context in which to consider Turner’s impact on the course of British art.

"We are delighted to present Turner’s first exhibited oil, Fisherman at Sea, within the exhibition, along with two 200-year diagrams, which the artist created to illustrate his lectures as Professor of Perspective at the Royal Academy.

"Legacies is presented as part of a three-year partnership with Tate involving major loans from the Tate collection to exhibitions at The New Art Gallery Walsall."

Legacies also provides a rare opportunity to view Cornelia Parker’s Room for Margins, 1998, an installation comprising six canvas liners and five sets of canvas tacking edges, removed by conservators in the 1950s and 1960s, due to their deteriorating condition, from paintings by Turner in Tate’s collection.

The exhibition will be at Walsall Art Gallery until January 14.