He actually tried to persuade policemen to bring a prosecution against Sir Stanley Spencer, a fellow academician, under Britain's obscenity laws.

ECONOMIST: The Royal Academy

"I actually saw Stanley Spencer when I was about four, " he said.

BBC: Adam Ant: 'Stanley Spencer inspired me to pursue art'

The modern and contemporary art collection comprises more than 1, 000 paintings, drawings, prints, photographs and sculpture which include works by Ben Nicholson, David Bomberg, LS Lowry, Stanley Spencer, Gwen John, David Hockney and Bridget Riley.

BBC: NEWS | UK | England | Tees | Town celebrates gallery opening