Broadcaster curates art show to mark new gallery role

David Dimbleby and his daughter, Liza, are guest curators of the new exhibition

David Dimbleby is to be Eastbourne's Towner gallery's first president after recently stepping down as chairman of the independent charity.

To celebrate his new role, Mr Dimbleby and his daughter, Liza, have jointly curated a new show.

The exhibition - called Drawing the Unspeakable - features 300 works by 90 artists including Tracey Emin and Louise Bourgeois.

The former BBC broadcaster said: “Co-curating this exhibition has been an exhilarating experience. For a time, during the Covid lockdown, rather than write to each other, we would exchange drawings by email."

The gallery said the exhibition brings together a diverse array of work that challenge the boundaries of speech

Many drawings explore the intensity of the human life, including some from refugees.

Other artists whose work are featured include Barbara Hepworth, Roger Hilton, David Hockney, L.S. Lowry, and Paula Rego.

The gallery said the exhibition brings together a diverse array of pieces that challenge the boundaries of speech, translating the unspeakable into the visual realm.

"Through these drawings, artists navigate themes of disaster, war, displacement and destruction, mental and physical illness, loss, grief, birth and family, dreams, memories, and imagination," it said.

"As a fitting conclusion to his remarkable decade-long tenure as Towner’s chair, David Dimbleby steps down from his role, leaving behind a legacy defined by vision and passion for the arts.

"This exhibition, curated with his daughter, reflects his commitment to fostering meaningful artistic experiences and celebrates the profound connections forged through art."

The exhibition runs at the Towner gallery from 5 October to 27 April.