Reading Art Gallery

John Madejski Art Gallery as it is now called, was built originally in 1893 as a typical Victorian Art Gallery. Following a generous grant from local businessman and philanthropist John Madjeski, the gallery was extensively refurbished in 1999 and renamed after its benefactor. A museum and art gallery with esoteric tastes it has a major collection of Ladybird Books. Production began during World War I and continued until 1998. The collection covers all the subject matter that children adored, comprising 700 boxes of original artwork, proofs and some documentation from the 1940's to the 1990's. Examples of the work of notable artists such as Charles Tunnicliffe, Rowland Hilder and Allen Seaby are represented.

The art gallery is closely associated with Reading University and has a shared history. The universities roots began in the Reading School of Art, established in 1860 the founding school of the present University. Furthermore, the university has over the years provided several teachers and students who have either exhibited in the gallery or have work in the permanent collection. These include Terry Frost, Claude Rogers and Turner Prize nominees Cornelia Parker and Richard Wilson. Also represented are Elizabeth Blackadder, Henry Matthew Brock, Victoria Crowe, Joy Finzi, Eric Kennington, Frank Ormrod, John Piper, Walter Sickert, Stanley Spencer and sculptor John Tweed.