Museums- The Harris Museum and Art Gallery-Preston.

The Harris Museum and Art Gallery has always been spoken in various whispers to me like a myth. A very grand building containing great treasures, all in the centre of Preston. You must go but only when you are ready to. I was ready and on my Grand Tour of Preston, I had to do Iain Nairn proud whilst visiting one of his Football towns , now a city. 

Lets have a look inside.

Study for Oxford Street Building Site, 1958, Frank Auerbach.

Untitled, Bruce McLean, 1987.

Taken from- https://www.theharris.org.uk/product/the-unfurlings-banners-for-hope-change/

'This exhibition is the first unfurling of a banner created by people in Preston living with dementia. 

Groups from across the UK have worked with artist Ian Beesley and poet Ian McMillan to create banners campaigning for a better understanding of this condition.

Based on traditional trade union and guild designs, there are 9 banners in total, covering subjects such as the need for better signage in public places, and the importance of active living and creativity for our well being. Each banner is accompanied by a poem by McMillan.

The Preston banner has been designed by Preston’s Focus on Dementia Action group. This group help make sure people living with dementia are at the heart of the Alzheimer’s Society’s work. They have also worked with the Harris to co-curate this exhibition. Their hope is that better understanding leads to action in making life better for everyone affected by dementia, whether personally or in our families and friendships.'

Go Here to visit The Unfurlings website.

Taken from- https://www.theharris.org.uk/product/more-tnorth/

'MORE T’NORTH aims to go beyond typical stereotypes and expectations of the North by bringing together a fresh collection of contemporary works selected by Harris Young producers which contrast against the historical setting of the Harris.'

Shonagh Short, Care Instructions, 2018.

Meg Woods, If You Don't Laugh, You'll Cry, 2020.

Lydia Richardson, The One and Only, 2019.

I very much liked these leaflets and if they weren't sealed preciously away in their special case then they may have had a little holiday to my house.

A good few years back now, there was an advert on television for Clarks shoes called Preston is my Paris. You can watch it HERE.

Being from a northern town you sometimes have to immerse yourself, weather dependent on your surroundings. If it looks and feels like a warm Spanish evening, coming out of the multi-storey car park at half six in summer then your are in Spain. You can visit Preston is my Paris website HERE.

Her Head, Dhruva Mistry, 1986.

I think The Harris is wonderful, it is a lot bigger than I thought, with lots of marble, a library and an excellent shop. 10/10.