AN EXHIBITION in the town centre is displaying the work of 70 talented artists from around Warrington.
Warrington Arts Festival hosts an annual Open Exhibition to celebrate the talent of promising and emerging creatives in the region.
This exhibition, which is a competition, acts as a springboard for gifted artists within a 60-mile radius of Warrington.
This year saw the most submissions in its 14-year history after it was re-energised by an expanded team and backed by a huge £840,000 grant from Arts Council England, Warrington Borough Council and Warrington BID.
In total, almost 900 entries were submitted, which was shortlisted to 96 pieces from 70 artists which are currently displayed in the Warrington Museum.
“The exhibition features a remarkable array of artists from across the north west, with a strong representation from Warrington,” said Sarah Harris, a multidisciplinary artist who was this year’s guest curator.
“This showcase reflects our current times, highlighting the themes that resonate with our artists.
“By supporting contemporary art, Culture Warrington is investing in the future of our town.
“It’s essential for creative minds to have the space to produce work that challenges and inspires us.”
After a judging ceremony and launch event last Thursday, Skye Baker was awarded First Prize for a performance piece called Guttural.
“Winning the Open Exhibition has given me such confidence in my work and as performance art isn’t something people regularly encounter, I hope I can bring more attention to it,” said Skye, who is from Thelwall.
“I also have to say that seeing such a diverse array of work at the preview was inspiring and I’m proud that my work secured a place amongst such talent.”
Skye, who is a transwoman, utilised her personal experiences to create her piece, which is part of a larger body of work called Foreign Body.
The piece shows Skye fully submerged in a bathtub, as black food dye pools out of her moth for an exploration of her personal identity and vulnerability.
“Guttural is based on the feeling that nothing you say will change your situation, in some cases even making it worse,” said Skye.
“Particularly in regards to the trans community and the fight for gender progression, the struggle of feeling like nothing is changing can be heavy at times, making me feel as though I am drowning in the limbo of it”
Skye was awarded a solo show at Warrington Museum, with full support in 2025 to develop her practice.
Emerging Artist, Kamil Duda, created a large double headed rocking horse, which was accompanied by a video of the horse around Manchester City Centre.
Also High Commended were Jasper Pedyo, Chloe Watts, Richard Meaghan, Lawal Ibrahim, Sean O’Farrell, Olivia Hawkswell and Justine Lesage.
“It’s been so inspiring to see all the artwork submitted to this year’s Warrington Open,” said Roger Jeffery, Producer at Warrington Museum.
“I’d like to thank all the artists who entered, the judges for going through all the submissions and making their selection, and of court Sarah Harris for doing such a wonderful job curating the exhibition.”
The exhibit is available to view in the Warrington Museum until September 29.
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