A major contemporary art exhibition featuring work by 50 artists is being staged across North Yorkshire this year, marking the 20th anniversary of the Aesthetica Art Prize.
The exhibition will take place across four venues in the county, including Skipton Town Hall, the Mercer Art Gallery in Harrogate, Scarborough Art Gallery and Woodend Gallery in Scarborough.
The programme runs between April and September and forms part of a collaboration between Aesthetica and Culture North Yorkshire, the county council’s culture and archive service.
At Skipton Town Hall, visitors will be able to see Part I: Future(s) from April 25th until September 27th.
Other parts of the exhibition will be hosted at the Mercer Art Gallery, Scarborough Art Gallery and Woodend Gallery, each focusing on different themes within contemporary art.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for arts and culture, Cllr Simon Myers, said:
“Hosting the Aesthetica Art Prize across our venues is a major moment for North Yorkshire, weaving a world-class contemporary art trail from the gateway of Skipton through the heart of Harrogate to the coast of Scarborough.
“By working with venues across the county, we’re opening our cultural spaces to the widest possible audience and ensuring that world-class art is accessible to everyone.
“It reflects our ongoing work to support the creative sector and strengthen cultural opportunities for residents and visitors alike.”
Entry to the exhibitions is free at Skipton Town Hall, the Mercer Art Gallery and Woodend Gallery.
Among the artists exhibiting is environmental artist Steve Messam, whose work will be displayed at the Mercer Art Gallery.
His installations have previously appeared in locations including Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal.
He said:
“It’s an honour to have been invited to show at the Mercer Art Gallery as part of the 20th anniversary exhibitions alongside some truly inspirational artists.
“I don’t get to show my work in galleries very often, and it’s been a challenge to physically fit my work indoors, so I’m excited to see how that works.”
Speaking about the wider exhibition, he added:
“North Yorkshire is fortunate to have a range of spaces where people can experience quality visual art.
“As an artist who mostly works outside of traditional gallery spaces, I believe passionately in bringing art to people rather than expecting people to come and see art.
"The easier you make it for people to see, the more relevant it becomes to everyone.”
Aesthetica Art Prize director and curator Cherie Federico said the exhibition reflects the aims of the award and its focus on contemporary issues.
She said:
“Bringing together 50 artists, the exhibition reflects what the Art Prize has always championed: art with purpose.
“These works go beyond aesthetics; they engage directly with the most pressing questions of our time.
"Across the four venues, audiences encounter practices that explore identity, memory and place, alongside global themes such as climate crisis, digital culture, migration and social justice.
“At its core, the Aesthetica Art Prize is about creating meaningful connections - between artists and audiences, and between local contexts and global perspectives.
“This collaboration allows us to open up those dialogues in new ways, inviting audiences to engage critically, reflect deeply and imagine alternative futures.”
Artist Liz West, whose work will be shown at Scarborough Art Gallery, also spoke about returning to exhibit in the county.
She said:
“I am delighted to be exhibiting my work in North Yorkshire again, after a successful solo exhibition at Harrogate's Mercer Art Gallery and the Yorkshire Sculpture Park last year.
“Since I was shortlisted for the Aesthetica Art Prize in 2016 I have received wonderful support from the organisation, this being no exception.
“I will be showing the original artwork that I exhibited a decade ago as part of the Art Prize, Shifting Luminosity.
More information about the exhibition and other museums and galleries in North Yorkshire is available on the North Yorkshire Council website.
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