Acclaimed Radev exhibition heading for Wilson in March

THE Wilson Art Gallery and Museum brings the acclaimed Radev exhibition to Cheltenham this spring.

The exhibition of world-class painting tells the story of 20th century art and modern love through the collection of post-war Bulgarian migrant Mattei Radev.

The exhibition opens on Friday March 8 and runs until September 1. It is free to visit but visitors will be invited to make a donation, or to become a member of The Cheltenham Trust, the charity that manages the art gallery and museum. The Wilson is hosting additional Radev events and activities during the run, beginning with a curator led tour on Saturday April 13.

Seventy-nine pieces from the collection will be on display, featuring work by iconic artists including Vanessa Bell, Duncan Grant, Pablo Picasso and Amedeo Modigliani. The collection tells stories of friendship, love and creativity amongst some of Britain’s greatest artists and collectors.

The Radev works will be shown alongside pieces from The Wilson Collection, and new work by artist and columnist Luke Edward Hall, which is inspired by the Radev Collection and the culturally elite Bloomsbury group.

Mattei Radev fled communist Bulgaria in 1950, fearing persecution. After stowing away on a Glasgowbound cargo ship from Istanbul, he arrived in London.

He built a career as one of the foremost picture framers for the London galleries working with some of the greatest artists of the 20th century.

What is now known as The Radev Collection was begun by writer Eddy Sackville-west, the fifth Baron Sackville. On his death in 1965 the collection was left to his friend and former lover, the artist and art dealer Eardley Knollys, with both of whom Radev established a close friendship. Knollys grew the collection and left it to Radev in 1991, who added to the collection himself.

The Radev Collection, of around 800 works, is regarded as one of the most exquisite collections of our time reflecting art, history, society and friendship. Radev died in 2009 and the collection was first seen in public in 2011.

Find out more at www.cheltenham museum.org.uk/exhibitions/