The UK Government Art Collection on public display

Several artworks that have adorned the wonderful walls of the UK's elite corridors of power for over a century have been seen only fleetingly by a privileged few. Now top names figures in British politics have opted to provide a rare insight into the art in government buildings.

It’s an unprecedented move, throwing open to public works from to an abstract sculptural work in Downing Street to a contemporary drawing in the culture department. The glorious Government Art Collection, along with Whitechapel Gallery in London, is staging the first ever public art show in its more than 110 year long history.

Nearly two-thirds of the art collection in possession of the Government that contains close to 13,500 pieces is on display in departments at home as well as embassies abroad at any one time. The rest is in storage. A couple of months ago, a cross-parliamentary group suggested the merging of this collection with other government collections.

Luminaries from the field of politics, comprising the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg and the Prime Minister's wife, Samantha Cameron, have selected work for the new show. The latter has chosen Elisabeth Frink’s bronze sculpture, William Marlow and LS Lowry’s oil paintings and, as well as sculptor Mary Martin’s steel & wood construction. Most of these are normally kept away from public view.

Explaining her choice of the 1776 Marlow William painting, Mrs Cameron stated: "It’s displayed in the White Room often used to welcome 10 Downing Street guests. Another draw of it is the River Thames that is important to London and has also turned so for our family, now that we’re closer to it."

The Minister for Culture, Ed Vaizey, selected drawings by Tracey Emin and Michael Landy. He explained: "I first met Emin about two years ago. For me, she has since become a great guide to art.” Other noted works include a 16th-century unnamed artist’s painting of Queen Elizabeth I, not been seen in public for five decades. It was chosen by Lord Mandelson.