Four new shows at Hastings Museum

From intuitive artists to self-taught visionaries, Outside In: South East provides a unique insight into the extraordinary breadth of work produced by individuals from outside the mainstream art world.

This may be due to mental health issues, disability, health or social circumstance.

A retrospective display of drawings and ceramics by Scottie Wilson, an outsider artist who was admired by Picasso and Dubuffet covers all periods during the lifetime of this extraordinary artist and contain fantasy images of birds, fish, flowers and ‘greedies’ (evil men), woven into endless designs of vibrant harmonious colours.

50 years of Fred Bassett highlights the comic strip, with original illustrations and storyboards by Alex Graham and Michael Martin.

In 1963 Graham was invited by the Daily Mail to create a family strip cartoon. With the help of his friends Yorkie and Tosh, Fred Basset quickly became one the best loved comic strips and attracted a huge following.

Fish Market on the sands JMW Turner’s beautiful depiction of Hastings in early morning has returned home from loan and is hanging in the Long Gallery.

Visitors will see how Hastings has changed since 1824 and spot some familiar features of the town. The painting will remain on display until September 29.

Cllr Emily Westley, lead member for leisure and amenities, said: “The four new exhibitions are all so different and guarantee that visitors will have a really interesting, varied visit to the museum.

“I was very pleased to be involved with the opening of Outside In: South East; an inspirational collection of work, together with Marc Steene from Pallant House Gallery, Chichester, where the Outside In project is based.

“The Fred Bassett display is brilliant and it is great to have Turner’s masterpiece at home in the Long Gallery once more.”

Exhibitions will run until September 29 unless otherwise stated and admission is free.

For more information about events at HMAG visit www.hmag.org.uk.