CAN you imagine owning Laura Knight’s Sea and Rocks? Maybe pretending your perfectly perched on that very cliff looking out to the frothy mix of turquoise and grey waves as they roll into the bay from a vast ocean that stretches beyond where sky and sea meet. Pure magic.

Laura's breathtaking image is owned by Chris Ingram, a serial entrepreneur and philanthropist, who began collecting in 2002, and quickly created one of the UK's most significant collections of Modern British Art. Ingram has been described by Stephen Deuchar, director, the Art Fund as “one of the most active and thoughtful collectors of Modern British Art today.”

Abbot Hall Art Gallery's highly anticipated autumn exhibition, Land Sea Life, highlights the very best of 20th Century art drawn from the Ingram Collection of Modern British Art.

Running until February 17, the exhibition explores a broad range of themes, representing what the artists were engaging with in terms of subject and developments in artistic practice and is one of the Kendal gallery's largest shows in the last ten years featuring more than 70 art works by 48 artists.

Without doubt, this is one of the highest quality shows that has ever crossed its threshold.

The diverse selection of subjects covered in the exhibition include Landscape, starring atmospheric scenes by Alan Reynolds and Edward Burra, and urban landscapes by Keith Vaughan, Frank Auerbach and Carel Weight. Works by Laura Knight, John Piper, Terry Frost and Patrick Heron focus upon Boats and the Sea. Meanwhile, the final subject of Life brings together several sub-headings, including Still Life and the Figure displaying work by important artists from the period such as Dame Barbara Hepworth, David Bomberg, Henry Moore, Eduardo Paolozzi, Ben Nicholson, Bryan Winter, Henri Gaudier-Brzeska, Eric Gill and Christopher Wood.

The exhibition investigates the notion of collecting, comparing the personal motives of Chris Ingram with the Abbot Hall collection and exploring why we collect? Chris himself has offered some wise words on collecting: “The golden rule is only buy what you like and enjoy. Regardless of what people tell you and what?s fashionable. Always start with what you like. As in any walk of life you need to study and learn - practice makes perfect. So build up a bit of expertise. Of course you can have an eclectic collection, but if you focus in you become more of an expert, you learn the ins and outs more. It really becomes a collection then.”

Helen Watson, director of programming for Lakeland Arts, which owns Abbot Hall, said they were delighted to be working in partnership with the Ingram Collection, presenting a unique opportunity to see work by leading artists from the 20th Century: "With over 70 pieces and featuring work by artists never shown at the gallery, there really is something for everyone,” added Helen.

Jo Baring, director and curator of the Ingram Collection, said they were thrilled to bring the artworks to Cumbria and see the collection presented in an entirely new way: "Last year we lent over 400 works from the collection to be shown publicly, and we are delighted to ensure that the collection remains as accessible as possible.”

Definitely an exhibition to see.

Abbot Hall gallery curator Kerri Offord will also give a talk about the Kendal gallery's own impressive collections on Thursday, November 16 (9am).

Abbot Hall Art Gallery is open Monday-Saturday.

For further information telephone 01539-722464 or visit www.abbothall.org.uk.