Sheffield’s Graves Art Gallery is an art museum with a permanent collection of British and European art that includes works by Alfred Sisley and JMW Turner. The gallery also hosts a programme of temporary exhibitions.
The gallery was established in 1934 and named after benefactor John George Graves, it showcases a diverse array of artistic movements spanning centuries.
What to see at the Graves Art Gallery
Visitors can explore permanent displays featuring works from Romanticism to pieces by artists like JMW Turner and Bridget Riley, alongside local talents such as George Fullard and Stanley Royle. Additionally, the gallery hosts rotating exhibitions, providing insight into both established and emerging artists.
Though smaller in scale compared to national counterparts, it offers a focused exploration of art history, complementing Sheffield’s contemporary-focused Millennium Gallery just a short distance away.
Temporary exhibitions at the Graves Art Gallery
The Graves Art Gallery hosts a programme of temporary exhibitions. Current and planned exhibitions include:
LAND – Photographs by Matthew Conduit
This exhibition (until 15 June 2024) showcases Matthew Conduit’s unique perspective on post-industrial landscapes and features 20 previously unseen photographs spanning the last decade. While focusing on Sheffield’s industrial sites, it also offers new works from Britain’s east coast, showcasing diverse environments. Known for meticulous composition and detailed focus, Conduit’s large-scale prints immerse viewers in the landscapes, capturing both history and human impact.
PostNatures
Curated by Victoria Lucas and centred around JMW Turner’s painting The Festival of the Opening of the Vintage at Mâcon, the PostNatures exhibition (until 7 December 2024) challenges traditional depictions of women in nature, juxtaposing Turner’s masterpiece with contemporary works.
Portraiture and the Human Figure
This exhibition (until 7 December 2024), drawn from the gallery’s collection, explores the timeless allure of portraiture and artistic depictions of people. The exhibition features over 80 paintings, photographs and works on paper, revealing diverse styles and delving into themes of identity, power, and the human experience. It includes works by Cecil Beaton, Pierre Bonard, Barbara Hepworth and David Hockney.
We are the Monument
The We are the Monument exhibition (until 21 December 2024) curated by artist Yuen Fong Ling is a thought-provoking display that challenges the traditional use of pedestals to elevate established figures. Combining Ling’s new works with pieces from Sheffield’s collection, the exhibition invites viewers to contemplate the significance and representation of various subjects and through the exploration of empty plinths, it encourages dialogue about the voices and perspectives often overlooked in public commemorations.
Colour, Form & Line
This exhibition (until 21 December 2024) delves into how artists utilise these fundamental elements in abstract compositions and features a diverse array of artworks, including paintings, sculptures and video installations. Visitors to the exhibition can explore the optical illusions of Bridget Riley and François Morellet’s manipulation of perception, alongside the systematic approaches of Malcolm Hughes and Jean Spencer.
Collection Display: Identity
This exhibition (until 21 December 2024) explores how artists like Isaac Julien, Hew Locke, and Grayson Perry explore the concept of identity and it also highlights female British artists’ contributions during the 20th century. The exhibition lets you dive into the multi-layered idea of identity, examining themes such as race, gender and politics. From personal self-portraits to explorations of nationhood, the displayed works provoke reflection on individual and communal identities. It features pieces like Jacqueline Morreau’s Divided Self / Flood and Mark Quinn’s Kiss, alongside photography by Linda Benedict-Jones and Isaac Julien.
Visiting the Graves Art Gallery
The Graves Art Gallery in the centre of Sheffield close to the Millennium Gallery and the Winter Garden. It is also just a short walk away from Sheffield Interchange and the railway station.
The gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday (it is closed on Mondays and Sundays) and entry is free of charge.
Entry to the permanent collection is free, although entry fees apply to some temporary exhibitions.
Allow around an hour for your visit.
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