An outdoor art exhibition featuring the work of nine Preston-based artists is on display in the city centre.
The exciting artworks – featuring photography, images of the city, abstract art and paintings – are on show at Preston Markets. The large-scale images displayed in three unique frames is a crowdfunded project by arts producer Garry Cook.
The frames used to display the art are a legacy of last year’s Lancashire Photography Festival. The bespoke reusable frames were specially designed and built for the festival by arts producer Aimee Grundell. The use of the frames has been gifted from the photography festival, which was also organised by Cook.
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Over 30 local people and organisations – including Blog Preston – pledged money to the project, with the costs matched by Lancashire County Council as part of their Lancashire Culture and Sport Fund.
After the crowdfunding target was reached, there was a free applications process for any Preston artist. A panel of judges from independent creatives group The Brewtime Collective selected nine artworks from over 50 submitted.
This project is Cook’s second successful Lancashire Culture and Sport Fund, following on from Art on the Streets of Preston, which was displayed on the BHS hoardings in Fishergate.
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Both projects have given a platform for local artists to display their work to huge audiences at a time when opportunities to exhibit art in Preston are at an all-time low.
Cook, who organises art projects, shows and festivals under the Enjoy the Show UK banner, said: “I am delighted that this crowdfunder was successful so that I could show the work of these brilliantly creative artists.
“I’d like to say a huge thank you to Preston Markets for being so welcoming to the idea of displaying the frames. They’ve been so helpful. And the people of Preston who pledged top this crowdfunder – I’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to you – it would not have happened without your support.
“I’d encourage anyone with an arts or community project idea to have a look at the Lancashire Culture and Sport Fund – it’s a really simple application process. Lancashire County Council effectively pay for half of the project and they have two dedicated staff members on hand to to help with the applications.”
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Cook continued: “The reaction to the art has been fantastic. Even when I was installing the panels, people were coming up, looking at them and asking questions about them.
“I’ve had so many lovely messages from the artists who have taken part – they have been delighted with seeing their work so visible and so big in the city.
“I was happy to have both the Mayor of Preston, Councillor Yakub Patel, and former BBC Radio Lancashire presenter John Gillmore come to the launch event and meet the artists.
“John has been a huge supporter of the arts in Preston for many years and he continues to fly the flag for culture in the city.”
Find out more about the artists
Becky Atherton
Title: Peterloo
About the artwork: Female reformers at Peterloo were brutally attacked by the military, which seemed to be incited by a sense of manhood being in serious threat from this female presence.
Bio: Becky is a Lancashire artist and has just completed her MA at UCLan. She uses a surrealist/fantasy style to challenge the materialistic patriarchal society we live in, by providing an alternative.
John Threlfall
Title: Preston City Skyline at Sunrise
About the artwork: This image of Preston skyline with the spire of St Walburge’s Church as a central point was taken from the new link road to the M55.
Bio: John has worked as a graphic designer in Preston for 18 years. Last year he won the seascape category in the Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year Award.
Daniel Dunleavy-Welsh
Title: Miller Arcade
About the artwork: This is a photograph Daniel took a year ago of Miller Arcade.
Bio: Daniel is a student at the University of Central Lancashire and was born here in Preston. He enjoys taking photographs of buildings and spaces around Preston.
Lisa Brown
Title: Creeping up to Midwinter
About the artwork: One cold Saturday evening in December a fog descended on Preston. Lisa was out with her camera and caught this shot. She shared it on social media and the man in the photo got in contact and said ‘I think that’s me!’
Bio: Lisa was born in Preston, she lives and works in the city as a photographer.
John Davey
Title: 3 Fishes
About the artwork: This is of one of the prints from a limited-edition, two-colour lino print of a matchbox that John created – the image on the prints is only 7.5cm x 11cm.
Bio: Having originally trained and worked as an illustrator many years ago, John who was born and raised in Preston now enjoys spending his spare time lino printing.
Chris Darley
Title: The Brutalist Chaplin
About the artwork: The juxtaposition of modern and old times in an iconic Preston setting.
Bio: Chris was born in Lytham and now lives in Kirkham. He says that his spiritual photographic hometown is Preston and has been for over 20 years now. The people, the places and the experiences make it special.
Russell Wood
Title: A Sight for Sore Eyes
About the artwork: Russell titled the artwork ‘A Sight for Sore Eyes’ as the black and white lines from the background lead you into the subject, however the contrasting lines from the dress create an illusion forcing you to glance away or to avert your gaze.
Bio: Russell has worked in Preston as a Civil Servant for 25 years and has lived in Preston for the last 16 years.
Jo Garrett
Title: Water Gram
About the artwork: Analogue experimental monochrome darkroom print, exposed using light and water. Developed using traditional darkroom processes and chemistry.
Bio: Jo is an analogue photographer who merges experimental and historical darkroom processes. She was born and raised in Preston.
Abigail Lewis
Title: Watching You
About the artwork: This piece is based on the theme of surveillance, always feeling watched by the wandering abstract eyes that follow us.
Bio: Abigail produced this piece for the exhibition ‘Eyes on Preston’ open call by Blaze Art in 2019 and it was displayed at the Harris. She is a local Textile Artist, based in Leyland.
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