The weekend’s activity is tailored to suit appreciators of Chinese art, as well as owners and collectors; Saturday will feature specialist lectures and guided gallery tours, while on Sunday there’s an opportunity to get your own artwork or antique appraised by experts including top specialists as seen on the The Antiques Roadshow.
“This promises to be a fascinating weekend, where not only can you find out more about Chinese art – one of Sir William’s greatest interests – but there will be special tours and an opportunity to find out if that old painting or trinket in the attic is actually a lost treasure. We’re delighted to be working with Lyon & Turnbull on this event at a time when the city has just committed to the next step in transforming the Burrell Collection with a major refurbishment and redisplay of the gallery – creating a home worthy of the world-class status of Sir William’s incredible gift.” - Councillor Archie Graham, the Chair of Glasgow Life
Perhaps the biggest coup is the opportunity to win a one-off guided tour of the Burrell Collection stores with Dr Yupin Chung Curator of Chinese & Far Eastern Civilisations. Taking you beneath the award-winning Burrell Collection building, the lucky few will benefit from Dr Chung’s unique insight into Sir William Burrell’s commercial success and meticulous method of collecting. There are 12 places to be won, each attendee will receive an event programme on arrival with a unique number on the front cover. These numbers will be raffled and winners announced at the event’s opening at 11am on Saturday 25th April. In addition, tours of the Chinese galleries will be available at lunchtime to attendees on a first-come first-serve basis.
If not successful in the raffle, there is still the opportunity to learn more about the museum from the team of volunteer guides. During the lunch break, highly experienced guides will be leading mini tours with a Chinese flavour as an additional feature of the day. Note that spaces may be limited so please sign up in the morning if you would like to join a tour.
The lecture programme that same day will feature leading specialists from the Chinese Art world. Jacqueline Simcox, published author and world authority on Chinese textiles will speak on Chinese Imperial and court costume. Jacqueline has previously lectured at the Victoria & Albert Museum, Royal Academy and the British Musuem and will be making her debut in Glasgow. Joining Jacqueline will be Nixi Cura co-founder of the Arts of China Consortium at New York University who will speak on contemporary Chinese painting. Nixi is an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Glasgow. Lee Young, Head of the Asian Art department at Lyon & Turnbull and Dr Yupin Chung, Curator of Chinese & Far Eastern Civilisations at The Burrell Collection will represent their respective institutions on stage.
On Sunday, the Burrell Collection main atrium will be buzzing around valuation tables where members of the public can bring in their own art and antiques to be valued and appraised. Lee Young & Steven Moore as seen on the Antiques Roadshow will head the team of specialists from Lyon & Turnbull with expertise including – Chinese & Japanese works of art, as well as items of other origins from jewellery and silver, to paintings and ceramics. All items will be seen. This type of event often throws up hidden treasures.
“It’s always an exciting day for us as we never know what we are going to see, and the discoveries we are going to make. While the weekend will celebrate Chinese art, our expertise on Sunday will not be limited to this one discipline and we are delighted to be able to offer valuations for all manner of art and antiques. “ – Lee Young, Head of Asian Art Department at Lyon & Turnbull