‘Going to the Match’ painting rehung at The Lowry as it returns to Salford this week

LS Lowry’s ‘Going to the Match’ painting was rehung in Salford yesterday (24th November) and unveiled to the community the following day at The Lowry.

It’s coming home! And no, we’re not talking about the World Cup.

Last month, at the Modern British & Irish Art Sale at Christie’s in London, The Lowry were able to land a successful £7.8 million bid for the iconic artwork thanks to the generous support of The Law Family Charitable Foundation.

On loan from the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), the painting has been loved and appreciated by visitors since The Lowry’s galleries opened for public display in 2000.

One of these people is Mayor of Salford, Paul Dennett, who highlighted the importance of maintaining the memory of LS Lowry for today’s society.

He said: “It’s important that we retain this iconic, quintessential painting of LS Lowry’s, which captures the sociology of football back in the 1950s.

“For me, holding onto that discourse and that narrative is an important reminder of what football can actually be and what role it can play within our communities.”

The Mayor also expressed the value of keeping ‘Going to the Match’ as part of the largest collection in the world of L.S. Lowry’s paintings and drawings while being available to the public free-of-charge.

He said: “It potentially could have been purchased by an overseas buyer and taken out of the United Kingdom and lost from public view and access.

“That would have been absolutely tragic.”

Lowry spent most of his life capturing the mundane, the gritty, and the ordinary of everyday lives and struggles of people in the north of England.

Honouring that thought means the painting will be embedded in Salford’s future activities, particularly for young people.

“This isn’t something that is just a preserve of older people or the middle classes,” added The Mayor.

His plans to take the renowned artwork on a tour around Greater Manchester aim to showcase the significance of art and creativity and how Salford’s proud social history can inspire people regardless of their background.

“I’m optimistic that this painting will be seen by many, many people of different ages, races, ethnicities and religions.

“It’s a painting that speaks to everyone and everyone should have access to it.”

You can find out more about ‘Going to the Match’ and The Lowry’s other art exhibitions and galleries here.