Two great collecting families, old and new, have joined forces. Lord William Burlington, son of the Duke of Devonshire, has opened an exhibition at Lismore Castle, the family’s Irish seat, of video pieces he has selected from the Rubell collection in Miami. These—including works by Gregor Schneider, Darren Almond, Hernan Bas and Nathalie Djurberg (still from Rallarfighten, 2005, below right)—are currently installed in the castle’s dilapidated stables (until 30 September). In turn, Don and Mera Rubell have chosen paintings from the collection assembled by the Devonshires over the last 500 years and these—including Thomas Gainsborough’s portrait of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire (below left)—are now on show in the art gallery at Lismore Castle. Lord Burlington says he hopes the contemporary art will “bring something unexpected” to those visiting the castle’s extensive gardens. The genesis of the collaboration with the Rubells was a talk they gave at the Frieze art fair last year. “I was in awe of them; for them the focus is all on the artists. I found it incredibly inspiring,” says Lord Burlington.
o www.lismorecastlearts.ie
Originally appeared in The Art Newspaper as ‘Devonshires team up with Rubells'