The bold exterior curve of firstsite, ColchesterImage 1 of 6

Gallery exteriorImage 2 of 6

The gallery entranceImage 3 of 6

Exhibition spacesImage 4 of 6

Roman, The Berryfield Mosaic, c AD 200Image 5 of 6

Inside firstsiteImage 6 of 6

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overview

As an organisation dedicated to contemporary art, firstsite has existed in Colchester for 17 years. It was originally based in a charming 18th-century house, the Minories Art Gallery, on the High Street. But now a brand new permanent home, designed by Uruguayan architect Rafael Viñoly, has sprung up behind the older building. It’s the last of a spate of new fine art spaces funded by the Lottery, along with the recently opened Turner Contemporary in Margate and Hepworth Wakefield.

The new £25 million crescent-shaped visual arts centre has already attracted its fair share of comment, the curvy golden exterior prompting comparisons with an amulet, a torc, or even a banana. But the concept is breathtaking and bold.

Colchester’s proud boast is that it is Britain’s oldest recorded town, and firstsite sits directly above Roman remains. One of the first things you notice on entering is the Berryfield mosaic, set into the floor below glass, which was originally the part of a Roman townhouse. It’s the only permanent item on show, as the centre has no art collection of its own. Instead, the three gallery spaces, radiating off a sweeping internal promenade, will host a series of changing exhibitions and artist commissions. There’s also a dedicated space for thematic displays drawn from the University of Essex’s extensive collection of Latin American art.

The opening show, Camulodunum (until 12 January), brings together a series of works by artists including Grayson Perry, Ai Weiwei and Subodh Gupta, as well as some specially commissioned pieces, all of which loosely relate to the town’s classical and pagan heritage.

Visitor information

As you’d expect, there’s an excellent shop. On sale are covetable designer objects, books and golden ducks for the bath. MUSA, the café restaurant, is open throughout the day and on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. The focus is on modern British food, and Colchester’s famous native oysters are sometimes on offer. There are learning spaces for children, and an auditorium for lectures.