25 years | 25 objects | 25 artists

Made in the mid-20th century

Given by Christopher Southorn in 2009

These are part of a group of 101 shoes, tools and accessories from Southorn’s shoemakers. The shop on the Parade was a mainstay of Leamington’s retail offer for much of the 19th and 20th centuries. During this time, the offer evolved, from providing handmade riding boots, to selling ready-to-wear shoes such as these. The stories of local businesses can tell us a lot about how everyday ways of life change over time. 

Made in the late 20th century

Given by Mr and Mrs Mokrzycki in 2000

This is one of just a small number of objects we have in the collection representing the local Polish community. Jan and Magdelena Mokrzycki came to England after being displaced due to the Nazi and Soviet invasions of Poland. They met and married in London before settling in Kenilworth. Both were active members of the Leamington Polish community. 

We are actively making connections with the Polish community and would like to add more to the collection. Please speak to a member of staff if you have something you would like to donate to us. 

Made by 2005

Given by Jason Cadden in 2014

Jason Cadden was manager of Leamington FC from 2000 to 2009. His first signing was Josh Blake, who would become the club’s leading goal-scorer. Together the pair contributed to a period of great success for the Brakes, which saw them achieve five promotions and four league titles. During the 2005/06 season the town celebrated when the club reached the First Round Proper of the FA Cup. 

Carved marble, made in the 19th century

Purchased in 2016

The Aylesford Well basin is one of the few items we have from the early days of the spa. It is only by chance that it survived. Local man Pavel Hodac noticed the basin sitting on top of the rubble pile when the Aylesford well house was demolished in 1960. He asked the demolition workers what would happen to it, and when told it would be discarded, he asked to have it. He took it home in his wheelbarrow. The basin stayed in the Hodac family for over 50 years, even going with them when they moved to Norfolk!

Baden Baden: Bewegungsbad N135a, 1998

Photographic transparency and lightbox

Purchased, 2000 

Yass was born in London and studied at the Slade School of Art, Goldsmiths College and in Berlin. Her distinctive hyper-real photographic style evolved accidentally when a colour film loaded incorrectly and was processed as a negative. In combining a positive image with a negative and installing the result onto a lightbox, Yass creates distorted yet vivid images. 

Her subject for this work is a swimming pool in the German town Baden-Baden which, like Leamington Spa, became a renowned health resort in the nineteenth century. 

Drawing R1001, 1971

Gouache and pencil on paper and hardboard

Given by the Contemporary Art Society, 2000, in memory of Nancy Balfour, OBE

Bridget Riley was an icon of British art in the 1960s. She was a key member of the Op Art movement, which was concerned with evoking sensations of movement and had roots in the earlier twentieth century artistic groups Dada and the Bauhaus. Riley’s work creates fantastic optical effects and forms an enquiry into the evolving artistic relationships between looking, seeing and representation. This picture, along with many other works, have been donated to Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum by the Contemporary Art Society.  Founded in 1920, the society purchase and donate contemporary art to member organisations around the country.

Compiled by Gertrude Hawkes, 1914-18

Given by Angela Azis in 2023

Most objects in our collection were donated by people with a link to the local area. Gertrude Hawkes was a volunteer nurse at the Warren VAD Hospital, Leamington, during the First World War. She bought this album at Burgis & Colbourne, a department store on the Parade, and her patients and colleagues filled it with personal messages, poems, photographs, and drawings. Gertrude’s granddaughter donated the album to LSAG&M in 2023.

Made about 1939 

Given by Brenda Tai Layton in 2008

The doll was a gift to Brenda Tai Layton from Claire Aston, a family friend. Her mother, Enid Ferris, had seen the film Gone With the Wind on its release and loved it. It is thought that the doll is modelled on the character Prissy, the maid, who was played by Butterfly McQueen. Brenda had the doll for over 20 years before donating it to us. She said at the time, "Although I prize the doll, I believe its place in Leamington's Art Gallery and Museum is of wider importance, covering the history of both the USA and Britain in terms of civil rights, economics, cultural awareness and the arts."

Photograph of Miss Cox in male costume

Early 20th century

Untraced find

This photograph features Miss Cox, who donated items of costume in 1964. It was with our archived paperwork for many years but had never been accessioned itself. Young people on our recent Queertopia project explored Miss Cox’s interest in costume and male impersonation. This image of her dressed as an Albanian or Greek soldier was used in the display and officially added to the collection. We have few objects relating to LGBTQ+ people and we hope to grow this area of the collection. Please speak to a member of staff if you have something you would like to donate.

Made in 2022

Given by Alison Chantrey in 2022

Alison Chantrey was a volunteer at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, when Warwick District hosted the road cycling and bowls competitions. This hand, used to high-five spectators, was part of the uniform she wore. Collecting items like this will enable us to tell future generations of visitors about Leamington’s part in this significant event.