The 2023 annual Open Exhibition, which celebrates some of the best artistic talent in the region and across the UK, has opened at Ferens Art Gallery.
It features over 300 artworks, including paintings, sculptures, photography, ceramics, textiles, installations, and film produced by amateur and professional artists, many of them from the local area.
Some of the artworks are for sale, giving visitors the opportunity to buy and own a unique piece of art.
Councillor Rob Pritchard, portfolio holder for culture and leisure, said: “The Open Exhibition is always one of the highlights of the Ferens’ calendar, and a reminder of the incredible talent and creativity we have in our region and beyond.
“This year the panel of judges have selected a diverse range of works, resulting in a captivating exhibition.”
A panel of specialist judges has chosen the Open artworks.
The panel consists of:
Nahem Shoa – artist and curator
Divya Sharma – visual artist
Scott Langthorp – music services manager at The Warren Youth Project, Hull.
There are a number of prizes on offer: the Friends of the Ferens Award, the Hallett & Future Ferens Young Artist Award, the HCAL Chair’s Award, and the People’s Vote.
Cash prizes, sponsored by the Friends of the Ferens and local business BSB Architecture, were being awarded to the winners on the opening night of the exhibition.
Visitors to the exhibition will also get the chance to vote for their favourite artwork, and the winner will be announced on 8 September.
The Open takes place at the same time as the Young Artist Open exhibition, which is for budding artists aged 15 and under.
This year the gallery received over 600 artworks, including 25 schools, from young artists across Hull and the surrounding area.
Prizes for the Young Artist Open were awarded and donated by the Friends of the Ferens and the Hull and East Riding branch of The Arts Society.
Artwork from three young artists have been selected to represent the exhibition in special posters which are on display across the city.
Claire Longrigg, Exhibitions Officer at Ferens Art Gallery, said: “The standard, and volume, of entries for this year’s Open was incredibly high – which made the job of the judges even more difficult.
“This year we have also had an incredible response from young artists aged 15 and under for the Young Artist Open exhibition, doubling submissions from last year.
“It is great to showcase fantastic talent we have in our region.
“I’d like to thank all the artists, of all ages, who submitted artworks this year.”
Artworks in the Ferens Open can be purchased throughout the duration of the exhibition.
A catalogue costing £2.50 is available from the gallery.
The Gallery will be hosting three 10-minute artist talks in the Ferens Open, which are free, drop-in events, on the final Thursday of each month:
Thursday 27 July at 2pm with artist Elizabeth Fijalkowski
Thursday 31 August at 2pm with artist Ragna Gift
Thursday 28 September at 2pm with artist Christopher Tansey.
The 2023 Open Exhibition and Young Artist Open Exhibition runs until Sunday 1 October.
