The late Tom Bendhem's generosity and friendship was spread widely throughout the arts, and a celebratory touring exhibition launches in London. 2004 Turner Prize nominees Langlands & Bell feature in the Art Collection of Tom Bendhem, which was bequeathed to the Contemporary Art Society (CAS) on his death in 2002. This diverse group of contemporary works of art was amassed at his London home since the late 1960s, and reflects the collector's passion for painting, drawing, sculpture and photography.

More than this, the collection records lasting friendships forged between artist and benefactor throughout the last thirty years of the twentieth century. Many of the works bear personal inscriptions from the artists. A number of significant artists have now given CAS more recent works in memory of Tom Bendhem, and the support he gave them at earlier and crucial stages of their careers. This includes works by Stephen Buckley, John Gibbons, Phillip King CBE PRA, Langlands & Bell, Bruce McLean, Bridget Riley CH DBE, Nigel Hall RA, Lee Tribe, William Tucker RA and Manijeh Yadegar.

A long-time champion of both the Ben Uri Gallery and the Contemporary Art Society, Tom Bendhem was actively involved in selecting works for CAS to be presented to its member museums and galleries, as well as being the first person to give financial support to CAS's annual Art Market, ARTfutures.

The CAS touring exhibition and its catalogue pay tribute to Tom Bendhem as a collector of contemporary art. He bought early works from artists such as Peter Sedgley and David Mach - sometimes the first piece the artist had sold. He bought repeatedly from artists who he loved and admired. His house was a treasure trove that also reflected an artist's eye, for Tom Bendhem was a painter after his retirement from business. He trained as an associate student at the Slade School, benefiting from the advice and tuition of artists who were also his friends.

After the Ben Uri Gallery, the exhibition will travel to regional galleries throughout 2005 and 2006, including Laing Art gallery, Newcastle Upon Tyne; Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery; the John Creasey Collection of Contemporary Art, Salisbury; and venues in Halifax, Huddersfield, and Norwich, which are to be confirmed. Following the exhibition the collection will be dispersed between museums and galleries, which are members of the Contemporary Art Society.

Artists selected from Tom Bendhem's bequest to be represented in the touring exhibition are:

About the Contemporary Art Scoiety

CAS, founded in 1910, is a registered charity promoting the collecting of contemporary art through gifts to public museums and advice offered to companies and individuals on buying art. Subscriptions from supporters; donations; grants; and income from its annual art market helps CAS purchase key pieces of contemporary art to give to almost 100 member museum collections around the UK.

For more information and images please contact Elinor Kaye Tel: 020 7604 3991 email: elinor@benuri.org.uk