Historical objects inspire contemporary work in new show at Hastings Museum & Art Gallery

New work by SoCo* Artists

Hastings Museum & Art Gallery

5 July – 30 September

It’s fascinating to see where artists find their inspiration, and visitors are invited to join these creative journeys in a new exhibition at Hastings Borough Council’s Museum & Art Gallery.

Kim Forward, lead councillor for Arts and Culture said: “The museum was set up to inspire and has wonderfully eclectic collections. It’s fantastic to see so many of our locally-based artists respond to them with such enthusiasm and imagination. It will certainly make us look at some of our favourite objects in new and different ways. As always, entrance is free.”

Members of SoCo Artists were set the challenge of responding to either particular objects or the idea of ‘collecting’ in whatever way they chose. 14 artists were eventually selected to develop their work, and the results are now on display, they are: Oona Ball, Sinéid Codd, Roz Cran, Jean Davey Winter, Maggie Henton, Sue Johnson, Alex Leadbeater, Mary Morris, Kathleen Mullaniff, Jim Northover, Carly Ralph, Helen Scalway and Charlotte Snook.

From fossils to Samurai armour, and seaside souvenirs to the American Plains, inspiration has come from every corner of the museum, resulting in some impressive and intriguing paintings, textiles and mixed media works.

There will be free events taking place during the exhibition including SoCoWalk & Talks on July 21st at 2pm and on September 15th at 11am when you can join SoCo Artists for tours around the museum, to hear about the new works they’ve made in response to the ‘collections’ theme and how this process is informing and developing their practice.

A free exhibition leaflet gives more information about the inspiration behind each artist’s work, and a full colour catalogue is available in the museum shop.

Images above: Hastings from the East Hill by William Henry Borrow; Some of the fakes made by Charles Dawson; Bow porcelain figure of Matrimony (photos Alexander Brattell).

*SoCo Artists were formerly known as SouthCoast Artists 

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