The Ferens Art Gallery in Hull.
The Ferens Art Gallery in Hull.

Ferens Art Gallery to be turned into giant canvas this October half term

The Ferens Art Gallery will turn one of its walls into a huge canvas this half term so that families can create a giant jungle gallery, inspired by one of Ferens’ most-loved paintings.

As part of this year’s Big Draw, Hull-based street art collective Spray Creative will create a 2-metre-high spray paint version of one of Ferens’ most popular paintings, Rosa Bonheur’s The Lion at Home.

Spray Creative will be spraying directly onto a wall in Gallery 7 to create a template for children to add their drawings to.

The Lions at Home, 1881 (oil on canvas) by Bonheur, Rosa (1822-99). Photo credit: Ferens Art Gallery, Hull City Museums and Art Galleries/ The Bridgeman Art Library.

Families will be invited to work with artist Dom Heffer to create a giant jungle gallery, the Big Roar, that will sprawl across a wall of the gallery. The artist-led sessions will take place throughout the day on Saturday 23, Sunday 24 and Monday 25 October. Tickets are free and can be booked by visiting The Hull Museums Eventbrite page.

Since summer 2019, Ferens Art Gallery has asked visitors and school groups what their favourite works are, with The Lion at Home shown to be one of the gallery’s most popular pieces.

The giant jungle scene will stay on show and be a central part of the new Ferens Favourites exhibition, inspired by feedback from visitors, which will open on Saturday 6 November.

Councillor Marjorie Brabazon, chair of Hull Culture and Leisure, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for children and families to get creative whilst enjoying the wonderful surroundings of Ferens Art Gallery.

“The Lion at Home is one of the most treasured and recognised pieces in the gallery, having captivated generations of visitors to the Ferens.”

In addition to the Big Roar, families will also be invited to follow a new lion trail, following paw prints around the gallery to discover some of the Ferens Favourites on display before picking up a colouring sheet of their favourite artwork.

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