Hayward Gallery - Definition and Overview

Hayward Gallery, London

The Hayward Gallery is an art gallery situated on the South Bank of the River Thames in central London, England. Its location places it alongside several other major arts venues, including the Royal Festival Hall, the Queen Elizabeth Hall and the Royal National Theatre.

The Hayward opened on 9 July 1968 and its distinctively harsh concrete construction means it is frequently regarded as an example of Brutalist architecture. It was designed by the Department of Architecture and Civic Design at Greater London Council, and is named after Sir Isaac Hayward, a former leader of the London County Council, the GLC's predecessor.

The kinetic light sculpture on the roof is left from an exhibition in 1971. The building was originally designed with two open terraces for the exhibition of sculpture but the difficulties of access to these resulted in the conversion of one to a cafe and education space. In 2004 the building was extensively remodelled and the enclosure of these areas made permanent.

It does not house a permanent collection but is used for many major temporary exhibitions. From 1968 to 1986 the gallery was managed by the Arts Council of Great Britain but management then passed to the South Bank Centre. The gallery is also the base of the Arts Council's National Touring Exhibitions programme and until 2002 the Arts Council Collection.

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