This month marks the final opportunity to experience From Joséphine Bowes: Trendsetters and Trailblazers, a landmark exhibition celebrating the 200th anniversary of The Bowes Museum’s co-founder Joséphine Bowes.
The highly acclaimed exhibition showcases three centuries of art and creativity, offering a glimpse into how Joséphine’s remarkable understanding of artistic trends and cross-genre approach to collecting might have shaped the museum’s collection today.
Featured in the exhibition are more than 60 artists, designers and makers shaping trends in western culture including Sophie Anderson (1823 – 1903), Pablo Picasso (1881 – 1973), Grayson Perry (b.1960), Magdalena Odundo (b.1950), Phoebe Cummings (b.1981), and Lucy Waters (b.1999).
Visitors have described From Joséphine: Trendsetters and Trailblazers as: “a superb exhibition”, and have commented, “Joséphine was one beautiful, strong, clever and talented woman,” and “the mix of old and new was very inspiring.”
The exhibition has been accompanied by a rich events programme supported by contemporary artists, from life drawing with Daisy Collingridge (b.1990) to an insightful talk with Charlotte Hodes (b.1959).
Jane Whitehead, Interim Director of Programmes and Collections said: “This exhibition has really enabled visitors to see the significance of Joséphine Bowes as a female collector. Her incredible artwork is set alongside that of high-profile contemporary artists, many of which have never exhibited in the north of England, honouring Joséphine’s pioneering spirit.
“I encourage people to visit and take this opportunity to see outstanding art that can often only be found in other major galleries in city locations”.
From Joséphine Bowes: Trendsetters and Trailblazers is open until Sunday 29 June 2025.