Two exciting new exhibitions have opened as Huddersfield Art Gallery continues to deliver its acclaimed and vibrant temporary exhibitions programme at Unit 7 on The Piazza.
Once again, Huddersfield welcomes the return of the Contemporary British Painting Prize exhibition, which celebrates the diversity, dynamism and quality of the contemporary British Painting scene. This year’s prize exhibition is the biggest yet with work on display from 17 shortlisted artists.
The shortlisted artists are Daniel H Bell, Sophie Birch, Helen G Blake, Andrew Bryant, Lesley Bunch, Michelle Conway, Seungjo Jeong, Bernadette Kiely, Helen Kincaid, Lindsay Mapes, Sonia Martin, Samuel O’Donnell, Mahali O’Hare, Simon Parish, Jen Roper, Shawn Stipling and Mimei Thompson.
Judging took place on Saturday September 17. The judges this year were Grant Scanlan (curator of Huddersfield Art Gallery), Hettie Judah (art critic and author) and Geraldine Swayne (a highly-acclaimed painter).
The winner was announced as London-based artist Lesley Bunch with Helen G. Blake awarded highly commended.
The exhibition is open now and continues until Saturday October 29.
Also on display is Liadin Cooke’s ‘I Learned how to be a Crow and a Pigeon’ (pictured above).
As part of the country’s recovery from Covid-19, Kirklees Council commissioned a local artist, Liadan Cooke, to develop work that captured the impact of the pandemic and the response as a district, as a community, and as individuals.
Her work addresses the strictest period of lockdown where we were only permitted to leave home for a daily walk in the locality.
Liadin appealed for individuals from local communities to submit their walks traced onto maps. The outlines of the walks were then converted into images that were woven into a tapestry using a Jacquard loom. The tapestry forms the centrepiece of the exhibition.
The exhibition is open now and continues until Saturday November 12. There will be an artist’s talk at the gallery on Saturday October 29 at 2pm.
Clr Will Simpson, Cabinet member for culture and greener Kirklees, said: “Kirklees Council is very proud that Huddersfield Art Gallery has hosted the Contemporary British Painting Prize exhibition prize since its launch in 2016.
“It’s great that the people of Kirklees get to see this prestigious exhibition first, before it travels on to London. I hope that our exhibitions at the gallery bring joy and wonder to our residents and inspire future generations of aspiring artists.”
Both exhibitions are at Huddersfield Art Gallery: Unit 7, The Piazza Shopping Centre, Princess Alexandra Walk, Huddersfield, HD1 2RS, with level access. The Art Gallery is open Wednesday to Saturday from 11am to 4pm.
