On Saturday 26 June, Rheged’s Gallery opens a new exhibition. “Through the Locking Glass” spotlights Cumbrian creatives’ response to the Covid-19 pandemic, with an emphasis on lockdowns.
This exhibition captures a unique time in human history; it celebrates the creativity, diversity and excellence of the 80 featured Cumbrian artists and includes high quality fine art, illustrations, prints, photography, poetry, 3D pieces and sculpture.
On 23 March 2020, Boris Johnson announced that England would go into lockdown. Overnight everything changed. High streets shut down, schools closed, traffic numbers plummeted and the population was told to stay at home and protect the NHS.
Cumbrian artists responded in different ways to the subsequent 12 months. For some artists, the lockdowns were their most creative time, with no interruptions, while others found new inspiration or worked in very different ways, using new techniques or materials.
The catalyst for this exhibition came from a chance meeting with Keswick author David Felton. In July 2020, David published a book “Through the Locking Glass – What Cumbrian Artists did through Lockdown”. Working in collaboration with David, Rheged invited the featured artists to exhibit their original work from the book and produce a partner piece to show how their practice had evolved through subsequent lockdowns.
The call out was then extended to all Cumbrian artists. An independent selection panel chose the artwork for the exhibition from the 360 pieces submitted. The selection panel included representatives from Anti-Racist Cumbria, Prism Arts, University of Cumbria and Eden Arts.
David Felton said:
“The story of “Through the Locking Glass” was one of Cumbrian passion, creativity and inspiration in the toughest of times. To be able to see some of the original art from the book, along with new works, is a cause both for celebration – and reflection.”
The exhibition provides a unique insight into the artists themselves through a sound installation by Dan Fox, short films and written interpretation. Supported by Arts Council England, this exhibition also features a 3D Cumbrian paper landscape by artist Amy Williams, a special commission reflecting the essence of the pandemic and inviting visitors to share their stories. Most of the 160 artworks are for sale.
Claire Logan-Stephens, who is responsible for Programming and Partnership at Rheged, commented:
“It’s an extraordinary body of artwork across all disciplines and from artists from every corner of Cumbria – some of the work is heartbreaking, some of it challenging, some of it is funny and much of it is hopeful. We feel very
privileged to showcase the work of so many Cumbrian artists responding to a theme that everyone can relate to, at a time when we are hopefully coming out of the pandemic.”
“Through the Locking Glass” opens in Rheged’s Gallery on Saturday 26 June and runs until Sunday 5 September. Open daily 9-5.30pm. Entry is free but please pre-book a time slot at rheged.com or at the desk on arrival.
Image Caption : ‘Great British Lockdown bread-making frenzy sweeps the UK’ by David Boyd
