Turner Gallery

To be besides the seaside

Situated on Margate seafront the David Chipperfield designed gallery is inspired b JMW Turner’s life and work. Margate’s skies and light greatly influenced Turner’s art, and he believed in the power of creativity as an agent for change. The building embodies Chipperfield’s distinctive minimalist architectural style with its striking white geometric forms designed to withstand the coastal conditions while contemplating the seaside setting. The landscape is equally restraint and inspired by the robust quayside setting. A sheltered courtyard creates a public space facing south towards the town across the beach, serving as both the entrance plaza and terrace for the cafeteria. We like the visitor to contemplate in the manner JMW Turner explored the landscape and its atmospheric conditions from this very location. Turner concerned himself to be embedded in the experience of the play of natural forces, and to let that experience dictate the terms on which the landscape image is constructed. Turner famously proclaimed in desperation: “I wonder what they think the sea is like.”

Other collaborations of GROSS. MAX.  with David Chipperfield includes the Hepworth Wakefield and The Dunard Centre Concert Hall in Edinburgh.