The Government Art Collection:

• Selects and places works of art in Government buildings in the UK and abroad
• Is responsible for the maintenance and care of works of art in the Collection
• Develops the Collection through a programme of acquisition and research
• Lends works of art to public exhibitions

Selection

We arrange displays of art in Government buildings in the UK and around the world. These include the entrance halls in Whitehall and Regional Government Offices, the offices of Ministers and senior members of the Civil Service, and representational areas and reception rooms in the residences of Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Consuls General across the world. We aim to select works of art that have a strong connection with the location and/or the work undertaken in the building. Outside the UK, this choice includes works of art that demonstrate historical or contemporary associations between Britain and the host country. For example, in the Ambassador's Residence in Cairo is a painting by Bridget Riley, who was greatly inspired by a visit to Egypt and based the colours of Reflection on the wall paintings in the tombs of Upper Egypt. We also consider other criteria, including the architecture of the building, the environmental conditions and the functions of individual rooms and spaces.

Recent projects have included new displays of art in Athens, Strasbourg, Dublin, Istanbul, Washington and Skopje; and in 10 Downing Street, Lancaster House, HM Treasury and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

George Hayter's fine portrait of Antonio Canova, sculptor of The Three Graces (a maquette for which can be seen in the right foreground of this painting), hangs in the British Ambassador's Residence in Paris. Canova was a frequent visitor to the Embassy, and appealed successfully to the Duke of Wellington for the return to Italy of works of art taken to France during the Napoleonic era.

Acquisition and Research

The GAC purchases new works of art with the guidance of an Advisory Committee. We seek to acquire works by artists who have a strong British connection: for example, those who were born or studied in Britain, or who have lived or are currently living in the country. Works must be robust and be able to withstand being displayed in non-gallery, working domestic and office environments. They will often have a particular historical or contemporary association with a specific Government building or country.

Our recent purchases have included historic works by Frederick Leighton and Thomas Bardwell, and works by contemporary artists Michael Landy, John Virtue and Zarina Bhimji. We also occasionally commission works of art, such as Andrew Grassie’s paintings of Downing Street and the GAC Sculpture Store.

Andrew Grassie's paintings, commissioned by the GAC in 2002, show the Pillared Room at 10 Downing Street and the sculpture storage area at the GAC's premises. The paintings show some of the background to the process of selecting and displaying works of art, and contrast the day-to-day activities of the GAC with the grandeur of some of the Government buildings in which we work.

We provide labels and information for visitors to the buildings where works of art are displayed. In some buildings, we undertake educational work, giving talks to on-site staff about the works of art that they live and work with so they can talk about them to visitors and answer any questions they may have.

Here we have a talk being given in the Glazed Gallery at the British Embassy, Paris, where many contemporary works are hung, showcasing British artists.

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