Local Exhibitions Hull City Centre

 Exhibitions Hull City Centre:

WHALERS: Moby Dick Remastered in Print by Richard Lees

 I visited the Whalers Exhibition at Hull Central Library to see Richard Lees' impressive series of prints, to investigate the gallery and to consider how the space could be curated. 

The Exhibition

Whalers is described by Lees as "a print re-imagining of Moby Dick as a story about human greed, toxic masculinity and the fatal consequences of waging war on nature" ....." drawing directly on the life-or-death environmental crisis we now face, my prints depict some of the dark forces which have brought us to this cliff edge as well as the inevitable human tragedies that follow."

Of the 40 prints in Whalers, 38 are lino prints and 2 are drypoint. Some are printed onto screen prints or mono prints.

                                        

                                       

                               

       

                                       

The Gallery Space and Facilities

Above, images of the exhibition space and relaxation area

To gain access to the gallery I had to walk through the library section. Although direct access to the gallery is available from the main entrance this door was not open on my visit. There was the added advantage that visitors to the library could readily access the exhibition, and this may help footfall. On the day of my visit the library was busy, and it was apparent that the venue was part of a thriving community of users.

Once inside, the gallery space seemed spacious and well-lit for exhibition purposes with subtle lighting shining directly down onto the prints. I also noticed that there was a good hanging system installed where the artist can attach their exhibits from "D" rings. There was a seating area from which to contemplate the works or to write comments in the visitors' book (see below). 

                                               

Curation

The works were thoughtfully laid out with plenty of information on the walls about the background to the exhibition and about the processes used. The size of the works and the fact that there were, in the main, monochrome added impact. The prints followed a logical layout which told the story of Moby Dick.  The space was used well and there was a calm, contemplative atmosphere in the gallery which was enhanced by the subdued lighting. The visitors'/comments book was nicely done with a related cover from the show. Richard Lees had also created an informative set of striking posters to advertise the exhibition. For those reasons, my overall impression of the gallery was good.

City Centre Vacant Shop Premises

As I walked through the city centre, I noticed that a vacant shop had sprung up as "pop up" art exhibition. I thought that this was an excellent way of using empty properties. The artist was working on his easel inside the building and some of his paintings were propped up informally around the room.

The Concept

The door to the exhibition was open, inviting passers-by to drop in to see the paintings and to chat with the artist. I felt that the concept brings art closer to the general public and perhaps reaches those who otherwise may feel excluded from visiting a more formal venue. 

Conclusions

My visit to these venues had more of a community spirit than a trip to a "grander" setting such as the National Gallery. The advantage from the artist's point of view is that it gives them the opportunity to exhibit their work at low cost and in accessible locations. From the viewers' perspective when people are visiting a library or wandering around the city centre it gives them the chance to visit, with no charge, and to think about what is on display. It widens access and visibility, which is important in the current climate of austerity.