JMW Turner was never happier than when he was at home in Kent.

The inspiration for the world famous Turner Contemporary in Margate, the landscaped artist will be celebrated with a special exhibition, which looks at his radical use of colour.

Opening this weekend, it features more than 100 works in oil and watercolour. The exhibition is the most complete survey of his watercolours yet to be shown at the Turner.

Colour was the essence of his work and Turner’s distinctive, occasionally eccentric, use of vibrant colour was central to his artistic success.

The exhibition looks at his use of new and different materials and the impact of his love of Margate had on his use of colour.

Turner’s connection with his landlady Mrs Booth meant he created many studies he made looking out from her house across the harbour.

Location was key to Turner and he once told writer and art critic John Ruskin that “...the skies over Thanet are the loveliest in all Europe”. The light in Thanet drew Turner back time and again and more than 100 of his works, including some of his most famous seascapes, were inspired by the coast there.

Margate was the starting point for his visits to Europe, and a love of the sea stayed with him all his life.

The exhibition also includes some rarely-seen watercolours, with fiery reds and intense blues, from his tour of the Mediterranean coast. It culminates in a group of late oil paintings, which are now regarded as amongst his greatest masterpieces.

Opened in 2011, the Turner Contemporary gallery was designed by Sir David Chipperfield and is now world renowned.

Situated right on the seafront in Margate, it stages temporary exhibitions and events and more than 1.8 million people have visited. It also runs Sunday workshops for children.

TURNER AND MARGATE

Turner’s connection with Margate was the inspiration for the launch of the Turner Contemporary five years ago. The artist loved Margate for the sea, the skies, and his landlady, Mrs Booth.

Turner first visited at age 11, when his parents sent him to school in Love Lane in Margate Old Town.

At 21, he returned to sketch and from the 1820s he was a regular visitor to the town.
He was a huge fan of Margate and it showed in his work – more than 100 of his works, including some of his most famous seascapes, were inspired by the Thanet coast. A love of the sea stayed with him all his life.

FOR CHILDREN

You don’t have to be a grown-up to appreciate Turner’s work.

On Sunday, October 9, from 1pm to 4pm, drop-in to the Clore Learning Studio at the Turner, where children can explore the artist’s innovative and intense use of colour.

It costs £3.50 for children, but is free for adults, under threes and people living nearby.

EXHIBITION DETAILS

JMW Turner: Adventures in Colour will be at the Turner Contemporary in Margate from Saturday, October 8 to Sunday, January 8.

Admission is free to the gallery, which is open Tuesdays to Sundays, 10am to 6pm in the spring and summer and 10am to 5pm in the autumn and winter.

For more details call 01843 233000 or visit turnercontemporary.org