The Bowerman Collection: Privately Collected British Art for Public Enjoyment

The Bowerman Collection was put together over 35 years by David Bowerman, a retired farmer and businessman. It was a personal passion project but one which was always subordinated to his great love – chamber music. When David died in 2020 there were some 600 pieces in the collection. At its heart were two major collections: a 19th Century Dutch Romantic and Hague School Collection, now disposed of, and what is a nationally significant collection of Newlyn School paintings. David had also begun to collect Modern British and a fairly eclectic selection of works by contemporary artists. In 2022, I took on the collection with instructions from the trustees to safeguard charitable status by imposing a curatorial logic and vastly increasing public access. Inspired by the Jerwood Foundation and its Jerwood Collection, The Bowerman Collection now describes itself as Privately Collected British Art for Public Enjoyment expressed through four focal collections: Newlyn School, Modern British pre 1945, Modern British Post 1945 and Contemporary British Art. There are two intersectional themes: Women Artists and Sussex.

We hold three exhibitions a year at the Champs Hill Music Room with our latest being Facing the Music: Portraits and Musical Themes in the Bowerman Collection. Here we featured a series of major Augustus John portraits, and introduced a significant Dod Procter portrait.

In addition, there is a significant programme of loans to regional galleries. We have a close working relationship with Penlee House in Penzance. Their current outstanding Harold Harvey Exhibition features six major works from the Bowerman Collection.

Working with Alison Bevan, former Director of the RWA, Royal West of England Academy, we are now preparing a travelling exhibition of forty of our most significant Newlyn School works. These will tour regional galleries and museums between 2025 and 2027.

As a result of our Sussex focus we continue to collect Bloomsbury artists especially Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant. Ivon Hitchens and his son John, whose studio is but a few steps from Champs Hill, are also a major focus.

Working with our principal adviser, the brilliant Jenna Burlingham and the team at Jenna Burlingham Gallery we have been building our Modern British Collections. Recent major acquisitions include works by Laura Knight, Dod Procter, Winifred Nicholson, Anne Redpath, Mary Fedden and Elizabeth Blackadder as well as contemporary Sussex artist Olwyn Bowey and contemporary sculptor, Emily Young.

Find out more

Access to Champs Hill is by appointment only. The Bowerman Charitable Trust has a collection of paintings and sculptures, which are available to view at Art Open Mornings and to interested groups who book by prior appointment. Paintings are available for loan to approved Museums and Galleries, subject to arrangement.

Champs Hill, Waltham Park Road, Coldwaltham, Pulborough, West Sussex RH20 1LY

Visit the website: thebct.org.uk