This month sees two exhibitions celebrating the artistic talent of artists opening and the Ferens Art Gallery alongside an artwork created by the gallery’s latest artist in residence.
When: 11am -12noon, Thursday 27 June 2024
Where: Ferens Art Gallery, Gallery 2, Gallery 4, Gallery 7 and 8
Why: Media preview of the 2024 Open Exhibition, Young Artist Open Exhibition and Artist in Residence. Interviews and photographs will be available with Claire Longrigg, Exhibitions Officer and Stephanie Edwards at Ferens Art Gallery, and local artists who feature in the exhibition, like Gail E. Hurst. Artist in Residence Sam Larter will also be at the press call.
Ferens exhibitions celebrate the work of talented artists
The annual Open Exhibition features over 300 artworks, including paintings, sculptures, photography, ceramics, textiles and film. The artworks are produced by amateur and professional artists, many of these artists are from the local area. Some of the artworks are for sale, giving visitors the opportunity to buy and own a unique piece of art.
The Open artworks were chosen by a panel of specialist judges; Jemisha Maadhavji, Artist, Sarah Pennington, Artist and Director of HARI Hull Artist Research Initiative, Hannah Willetts, Curator, Beverley Art Gallery.
The Ferens Open will take place at the same time as the Young Artist Open Exhibition, which is for budding artists aged 15 and under.
This year the gallery is celebrating 20 years of the Young Artist Open exhibition. The annual exhibition celebrates the creative talent of young people in Hull and the surrounding area. Artworks are submitted by individuals, schools, and local community groups.
Alongside the exhibitions an artwork created in response to the Ferens collection by artist in residence Sam Larter will go on display in Gallery 2.
Following the 2023 Open exhibition Sam was selected to be Artist in Residence at the Ferens. Her brief was to respond to the Ferens’ permanent collection and/or its building. Her artwork, An intersection of angles, plays with aspects of the building’s architecture through shape and form, whilst drawing on specific paintings that are on display across the galleries.
An intersection of angles will be on display from 28 June to 22 September 2024.
Kerri Offord, Curator of Art at Ferens Art Gallery, said:
“We have had an outstanding number of entrants to both the Open and Young Artists Open exhibitions this year. It is fantastic to have so many young entrants showing their work at the Ferens. Marking the 20th year of the Young Artists Open with over 700 works has been fantastic, and the range of creativity from young people across the region never ceases to impress me.
The Open has had a much larger number of entrants showing sculptural and 3D works this year, which is so inspiring to see and add a sense of excitement to the show this year. The exhibition beautifully complements Sam Larter’s residency and work, which acts as a playful intervention in the historic galleries. There’s so much to see this summer. We hope our visitors are inspired to be creative after their visit.”
Sam Larter, Artist in Residence says:
“The intersection of angles is the creation of the geometric forms; their symmetry relates to the building they will sit within. Geometry is also a nod towards education and the tools they might use. Shape and form with abstraction was integral to the work when making connections with other artworks in the galleries too. Art history is always fore front in my mind when making work.”
The Open Exhibition is accompanied by a public programme with visitors having the opportunity to meet the artists -
Meet the Artist
Thursday 18 July, 2pm – Layla Jabbari
Thursday 15 August, 2pm – Zivarna Murphy
Thursday 19 September, 2pm – Paul Deighton
Join one of the artists in this year’s Open exhibition for a 10-minute talk during which you will learn about their working practice as an artist.
Free Drop-in
For more information visit our website www.hullmuseums.co.uk
Artworks in the Ferens Open can be purchased throughout the duration of the exhibition. A catalogue for £3 is available from the gallery.
These free exhibitions run from Friday 28 June until Sunday 22 September.
The gallery is open Monday to Saturday 10am to 4.30pm and Sundays 11am to 4pm.
For more information, please visit www.ferensartgallery.co.uk
Image credit: Conjoined Diptych, 2023, Acrylic by Ian Boutell