1,339 artworks by 525 artists

British Council Collection is an Art UK Partner

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The British Council Collection is made up of artworks by British artists. As the Collection has no permanent display location it is often referred to as a 'museum without walls' as much of the work is on exhibition across the world as part of programmes developed by, or in collaboration with, the British Council, or as loans to major institutions and museums globally. Our policy is to buy works by emerging artists, and as a result we have a number of extraordinary works by world-renowned artists including Lucian Freud, Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Bridget Riley, David Hockney, Gilbert and George, Anish Kapoor, Mona Hatoum and Damien Hirst, amongst others. The Collection seeks to demonstrate the very best in contemporary British practice in all media, from painting and sculpture to printmaking, photography, installation and new media. The British Council Collection is often referred to as a 'museum without walls'; unlike other national collections it has no permanent home. British Council Collection works can, however, be seen throughout the world in our own touring exhibitions, or whilst on loan to other organisations and galleries. If you would like to view a particular work, please write to the Collections Manager who can advise on its whereabouts.