LONDON.- Four specially commissioned 3 Minute Wonder films celebrating the work of The Art Fund are to be screened on Channel 4 over four consecutive evenings from 11 May.

The films were made by up-and-coming directors Ana Garcia and Lisle Turner and produced by the award-winning production company Revolution Films, the company behind the recent acclaimed Channel 4 drama series Red Riding.

Ana Garcia said: "Before I began writing these films I spent a lot of time walking around galleries; watching people, talking to people, and all my ideas came from this. Since The Art Fund works to serve the public, this project was a wonderful opportunity to look at how people are affected by great art."

The first film, shot in the National Gallery, tells the story of The Art Fund's first major acquisition, The Rokeby Venus by Velázquez. Entitled Nude, the film incorporates into its dramatic narrative the famous incident when suffragette Mary Richardson entered the National Gallery and defaced the painting in 1914.

Antony Gormley is seen working in his studio and talking about his work in the second film, Portrait. This contemplative film closes with shots of his famous work Another Place on Crosby beach, and mentions a future work the artist is creating for Edinburgh which The Art Fund is helping pay for.

The third film is entitled Canvas and showcases an Andy Warhol painting of Muhammad Ali – soon to be displayed at Wolverhampton Art Gallery as part of Artist Rooms on tour with The Art Fund. In a fictional narrative, the film illustrates the impact of the painting on a young boxer. Through art, he is brought together with his number one idol, and introduced to a potential romance.

Landscape – the final film – is set in Tate Modern and comprises shots of visitors as they wander around the galleries, layered with the sound of individuals talking about what museums mean to them. David Barrie, Director of The Art Fund, is also featured and the film ends with a shot of him outside Tate's entrance. The closing title emphasises The Art Fund’s successful campaign for free access to museums and galleries in 2001.

The films will be broadcast in the 3 Minute Wonder slot on May 11-14 at 7.55pm (after Channel 4 News).