Recollection
Selected works
Gallery 1

East Quay invites you to immerse yourself in the world of writer and art historian, Jeremy Cooper. This exhibition will showcase a selection of works from Cooper's personal collection, offering a unique perspective on the art of collecting.

This exhibition delves into the essence of collecting, challenging traditional methods and exploring the relationship between the ‘Collector’ and the artist. Unlike the conventional route of acquiring artworks through galleries or representatives for substantial sums of money, Cooper’s collection is a testament to his deep, personal connections with the artists. His home, nestled beneath the Quantock Hills in Somerset, is a living gallery, packed full of artworks from friends such as Gavin Turk, Tracey Emin, and Peter Liversidge among others. 

Cooper’s collection transcends conventional acquisition processes. Each piece is a symbol of friendships nurtured over a lifetime. Also on display are Cooper’s catalogue of 'Artist Postcards' and the many drawings displayed in his home, each one reflecting a unique and personal relationship.

The collection challenges the traditional motives behind art collecting. It addresses how much of the art collected by elite institutions is driven by financial gain and investment and confronts the traditional artworld view of taste, value, and engagement. By demystifying the process, the exhibition aims to debunk the idea that art collecting is an exclusive practice reserved for the rich. Instead, it presents art collecting as an accessible and enjoyable activity for everyone, whether it be a postcard or a priceless masterpiece.

This exhibition also represents a final opportunity to view these works before Cooper generously donates his collection to notable institutions across the U.K. The exhibition offers a rare glimpse into an art world driven by passion and personal connections, rather than monetary value. Come and experience this remarkable collection through the eyes of a man who truly lives and breathes art.

More information coming soon.

Header image: 
- Anwyl Cooper-Willis, The Toast Card, 2011
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Image selection:
- Gary Hume and Angela Bulloch, Contemporary Art in a Can, 1997
- Richard Long, A Hundred Tors in a Hundred Hours. A walk on Dartmoor, 1976/1977
- Paul Westcombe, I’ll follow you through the peephole and My breath with drew, my head rolled for a moment, 2009
- Tracey Emin,This is my friend Geremy, 1997
- Gavin Turk, FWTD 94 Balloon, 1994
- Anwyl Cooper-Willis, The Toast Card, 2011
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Image credit: Glyn Jarrett