A stunning range of artwork will go on display in Northumberland this weekend from entrants in an annual art competiton and the painting that took top spot is set to have pride of place.
Gillian Lee Smith was announced as the overall winner of the competition ahead of the exhibition's opening at Woodhorn Museum. The talented artist, who has entered three times before and was a former runner-up, said she is "surprised and delighted" at her success.
She beat more than 230 rivals to win the Museums Northumberland Open Exhibition competition with a painting inspired by her visits to the grounds of Belsay Hall. And her winning work can be seen when the exhibition opens at the museum, near Ashington, on Saturday.
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The artist, who is originally from Scotland and now lives in Northumberland, took first place with her painting called Roots Break Rock (Quarry Trees at Belsay). She said: “This is my fourth time exhibiting in the show and it just gets better year after year.
"The range of work is always inspiring and I am so glad to see a Northumberland-based exhibition on this scale gaining deserved attention and submissions." There were more than 230 artworks submitted for the Open Exhibition - which this year was given a theme of 'Wild Northumberland' - and 113 of these will be displayed in the exhibition.
Gillian thanked those involved with the competition - which invites artists from across the county to submit artworks based on a different theme each year - and added: "I am surprised and delighted to be awarded overall winner."
Gillian's painting shows the roots of a tree breaking through the rock of a quarry wall. Its title is a play on the hand-game 'rock, paper, scissors' and it captures Gillian's interest in the local landscape although she is best known for her work exploring maritime themes.
She said: “I discovered the beautiful Belsay house, castle and quarry in 2021 and have been back many times. I sketch each time I am there and have become fascinated by the trees atop the quarry walls and the roots that have broken through the rock below."
The subject, as captured on canvas, clearly caught the eye of the panel of judges too who picked Gillian as winner and also highly commended two other artists: Judy Seymour for her work Dance me Wild - which takes inspiration from Matisse and the ancient Roman festival Saturnalia as well as local nature and wildlife - and Claire Shand for her watercolour Silent Night Hunter, inspired by the barn owls living on her farm near Morpeth.
Rowan Brown, chief executive of Museums Northumberland which is made up of Woodhorn; Berwick Museum and Art Gallery; Hexham Old Gaol and Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum, said this is the largest open exhibition in the county and added: “Every year we are overwhelmed by the quality of submissions we receive.
"The event is open to artists of all abilities, amateur and professional, so it’s fascinating to see how each individual artist explores the theme and captures their piece of Northumberland. It’s also a unique opportunity for many artists to present and sell their work in a professional museum setting.
"I’d like to personally congratulate all 113 artists whose work will be on display at Woodhorn Museum as part of this year’s Open Exhibition and I’d like to thank all the brilliant artists that submitted their work for consideration. You made our job of judging very difficult.”
Members of the public can have a say on the artwork on display too, by voting for their favourite throughout the February 18-May 8 run of the Open Exhibition 2023: Wild Northumberland exhibition. The artist who receives the most public votes by its closing date will receive a special People’s Choice award.
Entry passes to Woodhorn cost £7; £6 concessions and access is free for children aged up to 16. All passes are valid for unlimited visits for 12 months from the date of issue. The exhibition is funded by Northumberland County Council and Arts Council England.
For more information about Museums Northumberland, which cares for sites of historic interest and collections across the county, see here.
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