Sussex gallery promises post-COVID exhibition exploring lockdown art

Gallery chairman Sophie Hull is hoping it will prove a fundraiser for NHS and care workers.

Clearly, there is no knowing yet when the exhibition will be, but Sophie is urging everyone to start creating works of art reflecting the shutdown time we are going through.

“I was on one of my early morning walks with my husband and I was so inspired by Captain Tom who had just raised millions and millions by walking the length of his garden a hundred times before his 100th birthday.

“I wondered what could we do at Oxmarket Gallery to recognise all the amazing NHS, care and support workers during these torrid lockdown weeks and maybe months.

“I thought why don’t we hold a free open exhibition of works produced during lockdown to recognise all the services and run a competition for the best works.

“We’ve been pondering what to call it. We want to open with a knock-out exhibition of art and I know there is all this pent-up talent and art just waiting to get out and be exhibited. So we thought of calling the exhibition Knockout Lockdown Art – which says what it is and hopefully will put a smile of faces.

“It’s a big sign saying ‘Welcome back!’ We have so many regular visitors and exhibitors who no doubt will have missed coming round and exhibiting. Many artists will be spending more time on their studios.”

Sophie added: “I’m confident a lot of people will have turned to art to help them through this ghastly period of lockdown.

“Art and making things have huge therapeutic benefits like gardening. Individuals can work towards a piece that shows their gratitude.

“The scope of the work is wide open. What symbolises or reminds you of the lockdown is the theme. It can be a portrait of a care worker, a rainbow, a street on Thursday night at 8pm or item. It’s a tribute and a thank-you to those who have been so amazing in helping and saving our families and friends.

“Once the Oxmarket knows when lockdown is over we will find a date and invite artists to submit photos of their work and send them in. In the meantime, the Oxmarket would like the community to start work now.

“Subject to the level of response which they hope will be high, the Oxmarket will liaise with artists to co-ordinate.”

More information on [email protected]. Sophie is asking for people to start submitting their work from mid-May. The work can take any form – from poems to paintings and sculpture: “It can be anything you like.”

“There will be cash prizes. The Oxmarket would like the artists to donate their work and the sale of them would go in support of a local charity that has done amazing work during the lockdown.

“For those not familiar with this hidden gem, Oxmarket Gallery is a volunteer-run charity whose mission is to promote art and support artists and entry is free.

“It provides a range of accessible exhibition spaces for artists, art societies and groups, whether local or national. We hold more than 150 exhibitions every year to encourage people in our community to engage with art. Most of the work on show is for sale, often highly affordable and unique. It is hidden behind East Street in a magnificent Grade II listed medieval church in the heart of Chichester with Little London parking outside.”

For Sophie, the exhibition is part of efforts to maintain the gallery’s profile during the lockdown: “We have done what we can on the financial front. We just need to be ready for when we can open again. Financially we are currently fine. We will be OK for at least a year. But we want to keep the gallery at the front of people’s minds.”

Submissions are not restricted to Sussex artists only.

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