The Usher Trust’s first open exhibition is currently on display at Lincoln’s Usher Gallery.
Lincolnshire artists from all backgrounds, amateur to professional, were invited to submit their work for the ‘art out of isolation’ exhibition.
There were 700 entries from 288 artists, which an expert panel of judges then whittled down to the 187 works you can see now at the gallery.
The exhibiton will run from
‘Art out of isolation’ recognises both the creativity that flourished during lockdown, despite the challenges, and the joy at being able to engage with public art again, now we are moving out of the pandemic.
It also enables Lincolnshire residents to exhibit their art at the region’s premier gallery and is a great opportunity to see a diversity of artworks brought together.
There is a range of media on show, from traditional painting, drawing and printmaking to felt, glass and ceramic works. Subjects include landscapes, portraits, still lifes and abstract images.
There are also some familiar scenes, such as looking up steep hill at night and the distinctive shape of the cathedral on the hill, viewed from across grassy fields.
My personal highlights are a small linocut of a Black Lives Matter protester raising a placard against the cathedral façade, a slow-motion photograph of a snail that on first glance looks like a glittering piece of jewellery, and a blue cyanotype print of two reaching arms filled with lace-like ferns and wildflowers.
The exhibition is well worth a visit. It is free to enter and visitors can vote for their favourite piece to be awarded ‘People’s choice.’
Visitors can catch the exhibition on display from October 1-January 7 2023.
For more information, visit https://www.thecollectionmuseum.com/exhibitions-and-events/view/usher-open-exhibition