• Swindon & Wiltshire Culture
• Monday June 30 2025

Bristol’s Bring Turner Home campaign hits £100k target in just five days

A fundraising campaign to help Bristol Museum & Art Gallery acquire a recently rediscovered masterpiece by JMW Turner has hit its target in less than a week.

The Rising Squall will go under the hammer at Sotheby’s on July 2.

In response to a one-week public fundraising campaign, 1,450 people raised over £100,000 in just five days, with donations ranging from between £2 and £15,000.

Philip Walker, head of culture and creative industries at Bristol City Council, said: “This is the most ambitious campaign we have ever mounted in such a short space of time, so to hit our target in just five days is a phenomenal achievement.

“We are humbled by the generosity and support people have shown. From small donations to major gifts, this campaign has been powered by individuals who care deeply about Bristol’s story and Turner and want to see both reflected in our public collection.”

Kate Newnham, senior curator, visual arts, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, said: “It’s overwhelming to have received such an incredible and positive response from the people of Bristol and beyond. It just goes to show the importance of access to art and culture to everyone.

“We are determined to do everything we can to bring this artwork back to Bristol and show everyone who has donated or shared our campaign that their support has made a difference.

“If we are successful in our bid, we can’t wait to throw open our doors and welcome everyone in to come and enjoy The Rising Squall for the first time in more than 150 years.”

Although the £100k target has been reached, the Crowdfunder will remain open until 11.59pm on 1 July, as the team says every extra pound donated will strengthen their bid.

Painted in 1792 when Turner was just 17, The Rising Squall, Hot Wells, from St Vincent’s Rock, Bristol shows the Avon Gorge before the Clifton Suspension Bridge was built.

It was the first oil painting he ever exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1793. The work was last seen in public in 1858 in Tasmania and was recently rediscovered after being hidden for more than 150 years.

If acquired, the painting will go on display in Bristol this summer before travelling to Tate Britain for the Turner and Constable exhibition in November. It will also form the heart of a city-wide Turner trail and be used in school, university and public programmes.

No council funds are being used for the acquisition. All the money raised has come from individual donors and cultural supporters.

Main image: Julia Carver curator, visual arts with Bring Turner Home sign in Bristol Museum – Strike Communications

Inset: Turner,-The-Rising-Squall – Sotheby’s

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