A Day Exploring The Arts | Work and Adventures

Visiting the South Yorkshire Art Show...

Today was one of those spontaneous days where you jump out of bed and into your front garden without any plans set in stone - my favourite kinda way to spend a Saturday. With that in mind, I decided it would be a good time to pop home for the weekend and with mother's day being tomorrow, I wanted to treat my mum to a spot of lunch coupled up with a day of culture.

As it turns out, today was the South Yorkshire Open Art Show which was held in Rotherham's 'Old Market Gallery' and showcases some brilliant local works of Fine Arts, Photography, and Sculpture. After sitting down in the lovely Fitzwilliam and Huges Coffee Shop, located at where I like to call  - 'the top ov' thee 'ill', we ventured down to the gallery in the hope to see some refreshing works. The event did not disappoint! With only an hour until closing, the room was still jam-packed with people and it had a great atmosphere.

Something that really caught my attention was the illustration: namely 'The Right Good Art Club'...I know, what a name?! I still think it should be called 'The Reyt Good Art Club' with us being in Yorkshire an' all! But the illustration was, as my awesome art teacher would say: absolutely knock out!!

Design Credit - 'The Right Good Art Club' (Hustlerbyname, 2018)

I didn't manage to capture too much of the works on display or take a lot of photos of the event itself as I was too busy admiring the exhibition, but here are a few bits and bobs that caught my eye...

The Abstract Corner -

This was perhaps one of my favourite section of the show. Using materials in this abstract way isn't usually my style, but there was something so atmospheric about this corner.

Upon closer inspection, I noticed that one of the works had tiny engravings on the surface of the acrylic which told stories and personal expressions from the Artist. I loved the way the messages didn't give too much away and probably read differently for many people.

Another quite abstract collection being captured here. My love for layered paper and acrylic has been a recent discovery, but I was so glad to see some of it in the show. Above all, the most significant message to take away from today is that local art is an all living and breathing phenomena that is slowly moving through the ghost town that Rotherham has sadly become - I do really hope that my hometown can continue moving in this way. I intend to be with them every step of the way! Let's create a vibrant town and celebrate independent business and talent :)

Perhaps the most comical find of the day was the tiny tribute to Theresa May (I use the word 'tribute' loosely here as I'm not entirely sure she would feel the painting captures her best side - does she have a  better side?!) If it's anything like her policies... but, let's not get into that ey... I'll let you be the judge...

Sarah Bingham - Theresa May: Acrylic 

The works on display really do capture the creativity and movement of the Arts in South Yorkshire and it was lovely to see Rotherham working towards getting the community together for a reyt good old chinwag and a proper strong brew. Unfortunately, the shops in the imperial buildings just aren't what they used to be -  all empty and in need of some true TLC and a kiss of independent business. But I am a firm believer that as one era ends, others reform in its place - hopefully on my next visit they'll be some vibrancy back up there - just like it used to be in my school days!

Links to Artists -
HOSTED BY -
'The Sorting Office' - http://www.artfulonline.org/  'The South Yorkshire Open Art Show'
'The Right Good Art Club' -  https://therightgoodartclu.wixsite.com/website
     in 'Huster by name' - http://hustlerbyname.co.uk/

- giveusahue | Riannon Davies