An unchallenging Open
Open Exhibition
Ferens Art Gallery, Hull
To 22nd April 2018
Previously known as the Winter Exhibition, the popular Ferens all-comers show is always worth a visit, although this year I do not think it as impressive as last year’s. Can’t say I could put my finger on the reason why – there just didn’t appear to me to be a stand-out item. Yes, all a matter of taste of course, and there was in this first week of the show a fair smattering of red dots. Two pictures I’ll mention: John Creighton’s ‘Road Through Cropton Forest’ a charcoal (?) work on paper, atmospheric and light, a haze hanging in the air. By way of complete contrast, the pin-sharp ‘Fractured’ by Maia Weerdmeester, created with permanent markers to make a dazzling pattern of lines, colours and shapes, bears a close look. Unlike the days of the Winter Exhibitions, the hang seems to be less crowded but there were still over 300 works on display. I wonder what the rejection rate was. One little niggle: I arrived at 4.15, the gallery closes at 5. But the shop closes at 4 which means no catalogues could be bought. There should be some available at the counter on the way in. If one of the attendants hadn’t given me his well-thumbed copy I would have been clueless as to who did what or what the prices were. So thanks to that attendant!
Ferens Art Gallery, Hull
To 22nd April 2018
Previously known as the Winter Exhibition, the popular Ferens all-comers show is always worth a visit, although this year I do not think it as impressive as last year’s. Can’t say I could put my finger on the reason why – there just didn’t appear to me to be a stand-out item. Yes, all a matter of taste of course, and there was in this first week of the show a fair smattering of red dots. Two pictures I’ll mention: John Creighton’s ‘Road Through Cropton Forest’ a charcoal (?) work on paper, atmospheric and light, a haze hanging in the air. By way of complete contrast, the pin-sharp ‘Fractured’ by Maia Weerdmeester, created with permanent markers to make a dazzling pattern of lines, colours and shapes, bears a close look. Unlike the days of the Winter Exhibitions, the hang seems to be less crowded but there were still over 300 works on display. I wonder what the rejection rate was. One little niggle: I arrived at 4.15, the gallery closes at 5. But the shop closes at 4 which means no catalogues could be bought. There should be some available at the counter on the way in. If one of the attendants hadn’t given me his well-thumbed copy I would have been clueless as to who did what or what the prices were. So thanks to that attendant!