Turner Contemporary is marking 250 years since the birth of artist JMW Turner, with the display of his painting Waves Breaking on a Lee Shore at Margate (Study for Rockets and Blue Lights), c. 1840.
The painting went on display this month and offers audiences a rare opportunity to experience one of Turner’s depictions of the Kent coastline, reinforcing the gallery’s connection to his legacy.
The painting, likely created in Margate, captures the raw energy of a stormy sea viewed safely from the shore. Looking east towards the Stone Pier and lighthouse, the composition suggests an unseen vessel battling the turbulent waters.
Art historian Ian Warrell has penned an essay accompanying the display. His exploration of the historical context, technical aspects, and emotional resonance of Waves Breaking on a Lee Shore at Margate sheds light on its significance within Turner’s works. Warrell’s essay will be available as part of the exhibition.
The painting will be at Turner Contemporary, on loan from the Tate, until April 2026.
In conjunction with Turner 250, Turner Contemporary has unveiled its new visual identity, developed in collaboration with design studio Graphic Thought Facility.
Clarrie Wallis, Director of Turner Contemporary, commented:“The launch of our new brand during Turner 250 is a defining moment for Turner Contemporary. Our new identity reflects the transformative power of art, while the display of Turner’s Waves Breaking on a Lee Shore at Margate pays tribute to his genius and lasting impact.”
On Turner’s birthday, 23 April, a projection of Margate artist Tracey Emin’s A Poem—her love letter to JMW Turner—will illuminate the Turner Contemporary building.
The projection will serve as a tribute to Turner and testament to Margate’s thriving contemporary art scene.
The gallery is also launching a free JMW Turner schools’ resource, allowing students to explore Waves Breaking on a Lee Shore at Margate during their walk between Margate train station and the gallery.
It will also host Young Creatives in summer 2025, a free exhibition showcasing works by young artists (under 25) from Kent and Medway. Inspired by Waves Breaking on a Lee Shore at Margate, submissions are open until 9 May 2025, with selected works to be displayed in the Clore Learning Studio in collaboration with the RNLI.
Opening Times
Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 5pm, plus bank holidays. Last entry 4pm.
Looks to me like the painting is ‘looking back’ at Holy Trinity Church on the cliff top , not Stone Pier. The Church was finished 1829 this was painted 1840.
People stunned they are actually seeing some art in there, unlike the oversized Hamster Wheel in the last picture.
I’m sorry to say that the picture cannot possibly be looking East. Out to sea is North; towards the land is South. Any side view is either West or East. If the land is to the left then our view is from the East but looking to the West.
The view is looking West
Isn’t it a shame so few pieces of Turners work are ever displayed at the Turner gallery?
It is,indeed,Roman.All they get there,is a glut of sh.t,like Emin’s garbage.
So you saw Emin’s ‘garbage’ in the Turner Gallery a few years ago, when she showed her Bed and she chose some absolutely fabulous Turner oil paintings and watercolours to go on the wall surrounding it?
Rather like having some roses around a dog turd.
They used to try and slip a Turner into each show at the gallery. I’ve seen quite a lot of Turner’s work in the gallery.
Yes iv’e also attended those exhibitions, but the gallery has been open some 13 years with too little of Turners work on display during that time .
Have you missed the Turner exhibitions there? There have been 2 or 3 major Turner displays there since the gallery opened. Get on their mailing list and you won’t miss any more.
That’s not the original, the real one is in storage out the back at the Tate.
This is just Hype for attention at the Turner Contemporary.
Seems to be working well 👍
The title of the painting in the Margate gallery is “…Study for Rockets and Blue Lights”. The ‘real one’ – Or the painting ‘Rockets and Blue Lights’ may well be in Tate storage. The one in the Turner, the study, is no less real.