Artwork
Contribution to V&A's 150th anniversary album
Contribution to V&A's 150th anniversary album is a drawing by Michael Rowe. It dates from 2007 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. In 2007, the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) commemorated its 150th anniversary at the South Kensington site with a unique project.
About this work
Michael Rowe drew a page for the V&A’s 150th-birthday album in 2007. The brief let artists pick any mark on paper—sketch, graphic, even words. He chose a drawing to share what inspires him.
The V&A invited 150 creators to mark its move to South Kensington in 1857. Each page became part of a keepsake album.
See how other artists responded by looking up Victoria and Albert Museum.
Overview
In 2007, the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) commemorated its 150th anniversary at the South Kensington site with a unique project. The institution invited 150 prominent creatives to contribute to an anniversary album, each expressing their inspiration derived from the V&A and its vast collections.
Subject & Meaning
Michael Rowe's contribution to the album was a drawing that personally encapsulated what he found most inspiring about the V&A. The subject matter of his drawing is not specified, but its creation was driven by a personal response to the museum's influence.
Technique & Style
Rowe opted for a traditional drawing technique to convey his inspiration, distinguishing his approach from the broader range of permitted formats, which included graphics, digital images, and textual responses.
History & Provenance
Created in 2007 for the V&A's anniversary, Rowe's drawing became part of a commemorative album alongside contributions from 149 other leading artists, designers, architects, and photographers. The album serves as a testament to the museum's enduring impact on the creative community.
Context
The project celebrated the V&A's relocation to South Kensington in 1857, highlighting its role as a longstanding source of artistic and design inspiration. The diverse contributions to the album reflect the broad influence of the V&A across various disciplines.
Artist & collection
Artist
Michael Rowe had a habit of drawing with a ruler, keeping his lines so crisp they looked machine-made.
