Prints by acclaimed 20th century British artists will go on show at The New Art Gallery Walsall later this year.

The major exhibition, opening in November, will feature artworks acquired by the Gallery for Walsall’s Permanent Collection through the Cultural Gifts Scheme, administered by Arts Council England. 

The works come from the archive of London based Studio Prints, which was established by the artist Dorothea Wight (1944-2013) in 1968. Wight, alongside her husband, Marc Balakjian (1938-2017), produced prints for world-renowned British 20th century artists for over 40 years. 

As well as being master printmakers who worked alongside other artists, they were also extremely accomplished artists in themselves, particularly noted for their mastery of the difficult mezzotint technique. 

The gallery has had a close relationship with the Balakjian family since 2013, when they worked with Marc Balakjian to celebrate the legacy of his late wife, whose work was already part of Walsall’s Permanent Collection. 

Balakjian also had a particularly close relationship with Lucian Freud. They worked together for over 20 years, supporting him in the development of his etchings and producing some of his most well-known and best regarded prints. Balakjian also contributed an essay to Freud’s print catalogue raisonné, listing all known print works by the artist, published in 2022. 

The exhibition, taking place from 7 November 2025 – 12 April 2026 will also include works by Stephen Conroy, Leon Kossoff, Celia Paul as well as Dorothea Wight and Marc Balakjian. Find out more at thenewartgallerywalsall.org.uk.

Credit: Pluto, 1988 (etching with hand-colouring in ink on Somerset Satin White wove), Freud, Lucian (1922-2011) Acquired through the Cultural Gifts Scheme, administered by Arts Council England / © The Lucian Freud Archive. All Rights Reserved 2025 / Bridgeman Images.