Following the opening of its latest exhibition, Sin: The Art of Transgression, The Auckland Project is hosting a special after hours talk with the National Gallery’s curator, Dr Joost Joustra, where he’ll speak in detail about the masterpieces displayed.
Taking place on Friday 14th July at 4pm at Auckland Castle, the talk is free for annual pass holders or those with a daytime Auckland Castle ticket.
Running until Sunday 1st October in the intimate setting of the Bishop Trevor Gallery, Sin: The Art of Transgression is organised in collaboration with the National Gallery, London, to showcase works of art normally only seen in London and private collections.
The exhibition brings together works of art spanning centuries, in a unique presentation looking at theological ideas and depictions of ‘sinful’ everyday behaviours.
The exhibition includes historic masterpieces including Rembrandt’s The Woman Taken in Adultery (1644) and Lucas Cranach the Elder’s Venus and Cupid (1529), as well as contemporary works from Tracey Emin and Ron Mueck, and paintings on loan from Hexham Abbey and The Auckland Project’s own Spanish Gallery.
Charlotte Grobler, curator at Auckland Castle said: “Sin: The Art of Transgression has been extremely popular since it opened a few weeks ago and it’s wonderful to see so many locals enjoying the artwork. We hope Dr Joost’s talk will continue to enlighten visitors.”
To complement the opening, The Auckland Project has also hosted several poetry and creative writing workshops, where participants responded to individual works in the exhibition, or the theme of sin more broadly, getting support from a professional writer, with further sessions available for groups, sixth forms and colleges.
Dr Joost Joustra, the National Gallery’s curator added: “Sin in many ways defines humankind and therefore defines the art that humans create. Sin has been the subject of countless works of art that have been made for centuries across the world. Just think of the many depictions of Adam and Eve eating forbidden fruit, perhaps the most famous biblical story of them all.
“The term is also used more generally for something that is desired precisely because it is not allowed. Many pictures show us ‘forbidden fruit’ without any trace of the fruit mentioned in the Bible.”
Entry to Sin: The Art of Transgression is free with The Auckland Project Annual Pass, which also gives visitors access to The Auckland Project’s other attractions in Bishop Auckland, including Auckland Castle Gardens; the Spanish Gallery; the Mining Art Gallery and the Faith Museum, opening in autumn 2023.
The annual pass costs £25 for adults with family tickets available and is valid for 12 months from the date of purchase.
To plan your visit and purchase an annual pass visit the website.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
