Event Categories: Exhibition

Studio Eleven Gallery presents: Land; Sea; Mind.

Open Wednesday 7th May 2025 – Closes 6th July 2025

Join us for the opening and open studio event on

Saturday 10th May

10.30am – 4pm.

 

Claire West is a painter and printmaker who works from her studio in Beverley.  Her work is made with the intention of bringing joy through uplifting colours and subject matter.  Claire allows her work to organically develop.  Through a series of layers and mark making, images evolve when her imagination is free to invent and respond to the random marks.

Qi Fang Colbert originally trained in traditional pottery, qualifying with a BA and MA in Visual Design at Jiangnan University in China.  Qi pushed her knowledge and practice further and gained a place on the PhD Practice – led Fine Art Course at Newcastle University, UK,  She is an active artist, ceramist, illustrator, art tutor and independent researcher working between art practice and academic research.  Exploring the Surreal practice of open narratives of stream of consciousness, her work in ceramics explores conversations and mutual encouragement between the object and drawings. 

Our Open Studio Event is part of the fairly new initiative organised by our friends at the Humber Street Gallery.  This will take place on Saturday 10th May with many other studios and artists opening their spaces to the public.  We will be offering demonstrations in throwing on the potter’s wheel and model making outside the front of the gallery (weather permitting!).

Sanctuary

Sanctuary is an exhibition of photographs by Jonathan Turner of Lens Lab Project and members of the Welcome House Photoclub.
Sanctuary documents activities centred around Welcome House, including Acorn FC, and Photoclub; two organisations providing support and friendship for those seeking refuge here in the UK, whilst navigating the complexities of the refugee and asylum process. The work also features a number of portraits of asylum seekers and refugees, alongside their personal stories.
Set against a backdrop of last summer’s riots the exhibition seeks to offer a reassurance of refuge in this City of Sanctuary.
Sanctuary is produced by Lens Lab Project, curated by Benedict Phillips and commissioned by Humber Street Gallery with additional support from Welcome House.

Microworld

Microworld is a free family exhibition that will open on Saturday 24 May. Visitors will be invited to enter a world filled with digital life-forms, bright colours and ambient sounds. They will explore a range of creatures and see how they respond to their movements and each other.

These ambitious colourful artworks are created by Genetic Moo, a UK based collective. Their work is inspired by sea creatures, nature, and science. Specially for this exhibition, Genetic Moo have looked at the paintings in the Ferens’ permanent collection, so be sure to look out for elements inspired by the Ferens’ collection such as the lions from Rosa Bonheur’s Lion at Home painting.

Young visitors can also dress up as a scientist in the Microlab, a specially designed immersive sensory play area to explore and study the unusual creatures they will come across in the exhibition. This interactive exhibition is designed for all ages, and let’s visitors play, experiment, collaborate, create, learn and have fun.

 

Don’t forget to discover the exciting programme of linked events here:

Microworld Programme – Hull Museums and Galleries

Hull Open Studios

Hull has a vibrant, eclectic community of artist studios. On Saturday 10 May, 10am-5pm, the city’s artists and studio providers will open their doors to the public, celebrating a diverse range of practices from painting to sculpture, drawing and textiles. 

Hull Open Studios 2025 is a rare chance to see artists at work in their studios, get insight into works in progress and buy work directly from the artists themselves.  

 

Participants

Humber Street Gallery

64, Humber Street, Hull, HU1 1TU

Humber Street Gallery presents a changing programme of contemporary visual art exhibitions. As part of Hull Open Studios, artists from our Talent Development Programme INTER_CHANGE will be occupying the Space 2 Gallery where they have been working over the past two months. Meanwhile, visitors will be able to visit In Therapy with North Sea by Solmaz Farhang, and our Arty Bods session will be on in the café space from 10:30am-12:30pm.

Juice Studios 

61A Humber Street, Hull, Hu1 1TU

Juice Studios is a not-for-profit creative hub in Hull’s Humber Street, established in 2020. Home to 12 individual studios and a co-working space for up to 10 creatives, we support a diverse community of artists, including fine artists, painters, printmakers, graphic designers, illustrators, glass workers, and textile artists. Our open-access print studio specializes in screen printing alongside traditional printmaking. We also host workshops, life drawing, and provide a flexible project space for exhibitions, photoshoots, and creative experimentation.

 

HARI

25 Francis Street (1st Storey), Hull, HU2 8DT

Hull Artist Research Initiative provides residency space for artists of all disciplines to explore a research subject or experiment with an element of practice. This acts as a space beyond the usual studio for specific activity which pushes artistic practice further. To support these artists’ enquiries, and enable engagement between artists and publics, subject experts, and other artists, HARI devises a bespoke programme of discussions and events for each residency it hosts.

Atelier 8.

25 Francis Street (Access via Caroline Place), Hull, HU2 8DT

Atelier 8. is a unique society of fashion and textile creative practitioners in Hull. A place where independent artists and designers are encouraged to reach their full potential. Where ideas thrive, boundaries are pushed, and the status quo is challenged. With eight full members and five fellows the society supports and nurtures creatives at all stages of their career. Members’ practices include fashion design, free-hand embroidered textiles, millinery and Nuno felting, amongst others.

 

Ground

60 Beverley Road, Hull, HU3 1YE

Ground is a social centre and space for local, outsider, and social art which benefits the local community and wider public through the provision of low-cost artist studios, gallery, library, community space, print room, and shop.
We host a range of public and closed groups around art, music, environmental concerns, community development, alternative-education and addiction support, with a diverse audience that attend the sessions including ex-offenders, recovering addicts, neurodiverse people, and the LGBTQI+ community.
87 Princes Ave, Hull HU5 3QP
Artlink Hull is a community arts charity dedicated to bringing the creative arts to everyone. Since 1982 we have led inclusive creative workshops, learning programmes and events. Our 87 Gallery exhibition programme prioritises commissioning early career artists, encouraging experimentation in the production of ambitious new work. Start Open Studios with us 10am – 12pm for complimentary hot drinks and pastries to fuel your day of studio visits. While you’re here, experience our latest exhibition ‘Special’ by Emily Oetegenn, meet artists associated with our Streams workshops and chat to our team to discover more about our programmes.

Ian Hinley

57 Duesberry Street, Hull, HU5 3QE

Ian is a figurative painter who has been working in Hull for four years making portraits and large allegorical works. More recently he has also been finding joy in making smaller work primarily featuring animals.

 

 

Studio Eleven

12 Humber Street, Fruitmarket, HU1 1TG

Studio Eleven is a gallery, studio and workshop space. Events include artists talks & workshops by leading professional artists, a membership scheme, and a rolling programme of exhibitions featuring contemporary studio ceramics and painting.
We have the only dedicated ceramics space in Hull, with equipment and kilns in a shared studio setting.   We offer a Membership Scheme, Beginners Course, guided Pottery Clubs, plus throwing – on – the – wheel workshops. Membership benefits include 10% discount on artist led workshops, access to the equipment, kilns, and materials at a reduced price.
We welcome visitors to our studio during the open weekend to see work in progress, our facilities, pottery and sculpture created by our artists members and the pottery clubs.
Exhibition: New Paintings by Claire West; Ceramics Sculpture by Qi Fang Colbert. Land; Sea; Mind
Open Wednesday 7 May – 6 July 2025

 

 

Amy Precious

Hull Institute of Arts, Wilberforce Dr. HU1 3DG

Amy Precious is a contemporary artist based in Hull. Known for her colourful, atmospheric works, Precious uses oil pastels to explore synaesthesia, blending visual, sound, and sensory art. Her pieces capture personal and collective experiences, with a focus on political, societal, and cultural moments. Her work often reflects life in Hull and her travels, particularly to Málaga, Spain. Precious has exhibited locally, including at the Art House Gallery and the Hull Unthinkable Film Festival 2024.

 

 

Angela Bell

73 Patterdale Road, Spring Bank West, Hull. HU55AP

Angela originally studied textile design at Manchester where colour, texture and experimentation with different mediums were encouraged. Her work continues to be an eclectic mix and she likes to create an interesting surface on which to work using a variety of media, including machine embroidery. Angela has taken part in Beverley Open Studios more recently. She exhibits locally and nationally and has had work in Royal British Society’s exhibition at the Mall Galleries for the last two consecutive years.

 

Sandy Dorer

48 George Street, Cottingham, HU15 5QP

Mainly my practice centres on the environment and our imapct upon it. My work is calm, quiet and still with the intention of engaging the viewer to take time to make a personal connection. My work practice involves being in an area often collecting organic material which gives resonance to a piece, sketching, taking photographs and getting the feeling of a place. I work in oil on canvas as I like the historical connection.

Dom Heffer

Salisbury Hall, 1 Park Road (next to Pearson Primary school) Hull, HU3 1TD
I have been in my current studio for eight years. The paintings that I make depict anarchic situations populated by ‘stooges’. The atmosphere in the works is often a little perilous, or anxious. For me, these are predominant moods cultivated in western culture; by our governments, mainstream media and online environments. I am attempting to create images that are critical of this culture – whilst avoiding cynicism

Katryna Finnigan

3 Belmount Street, HU9 2RH

I am an artist, and I mainly make art work made entirely out of magazines and recycled materials. I also draw and do a lot of enlargements, mainly of celebrities. I also do some painting.
I also play and perform the alto saxophone so I will be happy to perform this at the same time.

Fraser Briggs (FSR) – Misc Print Co

87 Princes Avenue, Hull, HU5 3QP

Misc Print Co was founded in 2018 by Artist/Designer, Fraser Briggs (FSR). Offering Design and Screen Printing solutions (garment and flat stock), Briggs, has worked with clients including acclaimed visual and musical artists (national and global), record labels, HBO/BBC, community projects and local business’. Alongside branding and art direction. Briggs also helps Artists develop their practice and offers on/offsite workshops for people to try screen printing themselves.

 

 

Art & Soul 

Art & Soul, based at Fruit Market, showcases the work of over 100 artists and makers. Collections include Ceramics, Pottery, Jewellery, Original Art, Prints, and Photography, as well as a wide range of Greetings Cards and Gifts. The diverse selection on offer focuses on high-quality, handmade work, providing a vibrant space to explore and enjoy the creativity of UK artists and makers.

 

 

Matt Midwood

25 Francis Street (Access via Caroline Place), Hull, HU2 8DT

Matt paints, draws and prints familiar things either from life or his visual memory, objects our interest, places, spaces, buildings and people. Whether the artwork is figurative or abstract, what he strives for is something that looks real rather than just representation.

 

 

Bobby Beasley

25 Francis Street (Access via Caroline Place), Hull, HU2 8DT

Bobby is a photographer who seeks chance encounters and unpredictable moments. He likes to capture the humour in situations, enjoying the interaction, spontaneous nature and everything that happens along the way!  Good work is when all of the elements come together.

 

 

Isaac Yeboah

64 Humber Street Gallery, Hull, HU1 1TU

My drawings are an abstract representation of my immediate experiences inspired by culture, fantasy, nature, mystery and the metaphysical which all intricately weave together a captivating imagery. A fluid connection which exists within the elements of the works translate a form of oneness which brings the drawings alive. Using the ballpoint pen as a medium on paper, I blend past and contemporary ideas and breathes life into vivid abstract imagery rich in detail and meaning.

 

 

Emily Fratson

64 Humber Street Gallery, Hull, HU1 1TU

I am a multidisciplinary artist with a BFA in Visual Art from Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi (2013). My practice is underpinned by drawing, which I see as present in all aspects of my practice. I employ a range of processes and materials including ceramics, textiles, photography, painting, and digital media to explore themes such as placedness, domesticity, the lineage of making, and the line between art and craft.
Recently, I have been particularly drawn to using textiles- specifically quilting and embroidery. I consider these to be ‘legacy practices’ as they were mastered by my grandmother and passed on to me and the other women on my maternal line. I am in the early stages of developing a body of new work that considers my relationship to my grandmother and explores the push and pull between our ‘otherness’ and shared aspects of our being.
I am interested in rephrasing the existing language/ visual vocabulary around craft/domestic acts, Bible Belt Christianity, myth and the psyche.

Zivarna Murphy

64 Humber Street Gallery, Hull, HU1 1TU

Zivarna will show a body of ceramic work focusing on the tactile natural forms and textures of shells and fossilised shell bodies. They draw upon an exploration of the concept of donor bodies being left as empty shells and her ongoing examination of coastal erosion as a metaphor for human loss. You are invited to hold, listen to and smell the pieces. There will be a selection of vessels and wearable offcuts available for sale.

 

 

Chloe Barker

64 Humber Street Gallery, Hull, HU1 1TU

I consider my practice to be an intimate archive of my thoughts, discussions and experiences. I have amassed documentation through an ever growing collection of hand bound books which serve as the foundation of my creative work. My books consist of writings and drawings interconnected by their subject matter. Recurring motifs within my work have helped me form a consistent visual language, something I’ve found to be extremely cathartic.

 

Victoria Smith

64 Humber Street Gallery, Hull, HU1 1TU

Victoria Smith is a photographic artist, whose practice spans across analogue and digital technologies, from high quality commercial work to conceptual darkroom experimentations. Through a diverse range of exhibitions, residencies, and commissions, her work offers a nuanced perspective on both personal and collective narratives. Victoria also curates local exhibitions to provide a platform for local photographers to show their work to the public.

 

Old Ice Cream Factory

47 Peel Street, Hull HU3 1QR

Old Ice Cream Factory is a live / work space in a restored and converted light industrial building which has had several uses besides a confectioners and ice cream manufacturers. It is surrounded by unusual gardens forming a quiet oasis close to the town centre. Rick Welton makes functional and sculptural hand-built ceramics. Trish Green is a mixed media artist with a particular interest in monoprints. Jeff Green uses found materials to create miniature townscapes.

 

Wild Giant Arts

Unit 17 Courtney Street Factory Unit Estate HU8 7QF

Wild Giant Arts is a new street theatre company in Hull run by local artists and performers Stacey and Dave. We make roaming shows using larger than life puppets that we take to outdoor events and festivals around the UK.  We build them here in our little studio in East Hull, where you can see our current work in progress, a giant dog puppet, and the inner workings that go into the creation of it.

 

Please note, some of the artists may choose to support the TransHull protest and won’t be in their studios 1-2pm. If you are planning on visiting over that time period, please get in touch with artists directly to check if they are present. 

Classic Car Day – May

Stroll through the Museums Quarter Garden to explore vintage and classic motor vehicles from the East Yorkshire Thoroughbred Car Club, find out the history of the vehicles and take photos of your favourites.

Please do not touch any of the vehicles without the owner’s permission.

Free, drop-in

VE Day 80th Anniversary Exhibit

Hull Minster is sharing the stories of Hull’s families and communities in their VE Day display.

We have received many submissions from the people of Hull.

At 1pm on 6th May the display will be officially opened by Canon Dominic Black and James Cameron – Heritage Project Manager in charge of the 600th anniversary of the Minster. #holytrinityhull600

A milestone will be marked on 8th May 2025, celebration of VE day in the UK, when we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the ending of the Second World War in Europe.  In a city particularly affected as Hull was during the Blitz, this is a key celebration.  Hull Minster is looking to share its community’s stories through a display at the church. Hull Minster has a unique wartime history compared to many churches in the UK and across Europe. Though the city of Hull suffered greatly in both the First and Second World Wars, Hull Minster sustained very little damage. The Luftwaffe often entered British airspace via England’s east coast and used the tower of Hull Minster as a sort of bearing point with which to situate themselves. For this reason, Hull Minster was left standing, though the communities it served suffered from the devastation of the German Blitz, with Hull being one of the worst affected British cities.

The 80th Anniversary of VE day provides a unique celebratory opportunity. It will be among the last decennial celebrations of VE Day where survivors of the Second World War will be able to directly tell us their stories. It also coincidentally, lines up with our own 600th anniversary celebrations through the HT600 Project and aligns with our project’s themes of fostering civic pride, the exploration and reflection of the past, and recognising those who have made our lives today a possibility.

Canon Dominic Black, Vicar of Hull Minster: This VE Day celebration is a special one to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the War. Nowadays, there are very few people alive that remember it first hand, though its aftermath was felt for decades. It is the celebration of the end of a war that was felt as much at home as it was on the battlefield, and is especially important to Hull, one of the heaviest bombed cities in Britain.

The display will run from 6th to the 17th of May in the North Choir aisle, save for between the days of May 8-10 while the Beer Festival is on, when it will be moved into the nave, near the west doors.

There is no charge for the exhibition. It is free entry. We work on the donation system. It costs £1000 a day to run Hull Minster. We survive on the donation system so thank you if you are able to give.

Moore Orme: Beautiful Places & Pots 2025

A plethora of colour, shape, texture and imagination.  The collection plunges the viewer into the shape of landscape, the quality remembered in the minds’ eye, familiar yet new.

Open 21st March 2025 – Closes 4th May 2025

 

The late Jim Orme was a contemporary painter who mixed his paint to achieve rich surfaces in both his abstract and more representational work. In this show, it is impossible to represent the full range of his oeuvre where often recognisable motifs were apparent in the textured surfaces (aeroplanes, moths, birds) etc. Jim was has a fascination with flight, birds and insects.  Any living being that presented these gifts were  obsessively studied and catalogued in formed into his paintings. Much of his work was abstract and Jim had a strong interest in Minimalism a trope that is noticeable in the paintings.

Rob Moore has worked as a painter and printmaker for most of his life. Originally from Leicester, Rob is now living in North Yorkshire.

 “That he does not direct the viewer, but merely raises an arm and a finger and suggests a direction.’’ 

Like Jim, Rob enjoys the craft of painting and is obsessed by applying intricate paint marks in much of his abstract work. The paintings often have a feel for the landscapes he loves across the north. There are many works that include suggestions of places affected by rising sea levels due to climate change, a threat to the East Yorkshire and Humber coastlines.  Rob incorporates simplified shapes that suggest for example a submerged piece of land, a boat wreck exposed by a strong high tide. Rob is happy however for the viewer just to enjoy the colour, marks and shapes that he creates in the paintings.  He continues to curate exhibitions and organises the music gigs at The Old Parcels Office in Scarborough.

We have a new collection of ceramics by Barry Stedman to accompany the richness of Moore Orme exhibition.  Barry’s intention is to make colourful, dynamic forms that come out of a deep connection to the landscape. Often his ceramic art work is rooted in the directness and urgency of drawing outside; responding to the weather, drama, and life of the landscape.  Starting on the wheel or constructed with slabs, the red earthenware vessels are marked and altered, scored and handled, before being painted with layers of coloured slips and oxides, washes of vivid colour enhanced with a bright rich clear glaze.

Neil Holmes Photography

Victory Celebrations in Hull

Free, drop-in (no booking required)

3 May, 9.30am-4.30pm

In May 1945, after six long years, the people of Hull could finally celebrate the end of the Second World War. To discover how the people marked this momentous day join us for a free screening of archival footage showing celebrations across the city.

There will also be a display of original photographs and documents.

Film duration: 40 mins

Screenings: 10am, 12pm, and 2pm

 

UPDATE: Hull History Centre have extended the screening of their archival footage to show on loop throughout VE Day, and can be seen between 9:30am – 4:30pm.

Special

Emily Oetegenn is an artist-writer and director whose multimedia work explores themes of queer love, disability, sensuality, womanhood and rage, her Aphrodite gaze validating their relationship to one another. The work, which centres around poetry and the spoken word, strives to challenge misrepresentations of disabled communities.

She is also founding director of multimedia platform Tales and Scales Productions, which prioritises producing proudly with authentic creativity. Tales and Scales champions, empowers and celebrates neurodivergent, disabled and queer performance artists and their allies, under the direction of an artist who is proudly all of the above!

This exhibition is part of a longstanding collaboration between Emily Oetegenn and Artlink Hull and 87 Gallery, which has seen her work included in group exhibitions as part of our Creative Connections programme, and the production of her quarterly Tales and Scales open mic nights.

For her first solo exhibition, Oetegenn has worked with Fly Girl Films to create a film for her poem ‘Special’, which documents a journey towards self-acceptance. The work adopts a nostalgic, home-video format and is inspired by the artist’s childhood and of living with cerebral palsy (CP). The film follows two lovers through the holidays of Christmas, New Year and Valentine’s Day. These holidays represent times of unity and coming together, which are central to the poem.

 

Launch 11 April 2025 | 6-8 PM (FREE)

HAIR: identity in the afroworld

Black hair is a key aspect of identity, with intricate styles, links to heritage, and popular culture.

Throughout history to the present day, Black hair has been important in sharing artistry and culture. At the same time Black hair can often be misunderstood, from its texture, to styling and discrimination, often mirroring the changing social and political values in society.

This new exhibition includes film and photography, showcasing stories from the community and what Black hair means to people in of Hull.

In the exhibition you will learn about Black hair, discover braiding styles, hair care recipes, and techniques which have been passed down through generations. You will be able explore people’s experiences and share your story too.

Curated in partnership with volunteers from across Hull who have shared their experiences of their own Afro hair.

Wild Style Exhibition

‘Wild Style’ exhibition by Liz Dees is open to the public from Saturday 26 April, with a private viewing taking place from 7pm on Friday 25 April.

📍 Pier Street Gallery, 1-2 Pier Street, Hull, HU1 1ZA

(Closed Monday 28 April)

SOUND SPACE for Creators and Explorers of Sound in Hull

presented by DØTE x OUTLANDS NETWORK

SoundSpace is a community gathering for anybody interested in sound and the act of listening. Open to all, you don’t need any music knowledge or experience. We encourage you to come and meet your community, and interact with sound and the conversation around listening.

12:00-2:00 – Sound Sauna

An informal gathering and networking opportunity to meet others, share experiences and ideas, and immerse yourself in landscapes of tape loops and drones.

Presented by DØTE archives

2:00-4:00 – Through Boundaries

The act of listening in explorative music / sound with Jez riley French & Pheobe riley Law

‘Make the faintest possible sound to a boundary condition…’ Mieko Shiomi – BOUNDARY MUSIC (1963)

Taking apart borders placed around creativity is empowering and vital. During this performative conversation we’ll talk about how the (corrected) histories of sound culture opened up space, duration, gesture and expression, including through the use of text and image based scores. We’ll make use of instruments, objects and actions, building a collective sounded-space.

You are welcome to bring small objects or yourself as a sounding elements.

4:30-7:00 – Open Session

A collective soundspace and invitation to take part in a performative conversation inspired by Mieko Shiomi’s ‘Boundary Music’ (1963)

‘Make the faintest possible sound to a boundary condition whether the sound is given birth to as a sound or not. At the performance, instruments, human bodies, electronic apparatus or anything else may be used.’

It is the listening that matters.

————————————

SOUND SPACE has been supported by the Outlands Network Exchange Programme, an initiative to develop collaborations between its members, support artists, and grow audiences for experimental music across the country. https://www.outlands.network

Humber Print 2

This is the second time that the Ropewalk Print Studio has had a Joint Exhibition of Printmaking with the Feral Art School Printmakers.

The Ropewalk Print Studio is celebrating its 25 year anniversary and during that time the studio has been a crucial place for people throughout our region to enjoy the indulgence of printmaking. For the last eight years Avenues print studio which evolved into the Feral Print studio has often shared Ropewalk print resources before Feral Printmaking became more established and better equipped. Now we have two thriving independent print facilities with Printmakers  exploring a comprehensive range of print techniques. Members from each of these studios often exhibit together as the Hull Print Collective.

This exhibition showcases many varied approaches to printmaking.

These include…

Drypoint Etching, Hard Ground and Soft ground Etching, Aquatint, Sugar-Lift, Lino-Print, Wood-cut, Mezzotint, Carborundum Print, Collagraph, Monotype, Tetra-Pak, Lithograph, Photo Screen and Open Screen.

The following local Print Studios offer short Printmaking Courses for Beginners and for Advanced practitioners, check out their websites to see what is on offer.

www.feralartschool.org

https://ropewalkprintworkshop.org.uk

www.eastgatestudio.co.uk

https://www.juicehull.com

 

From Friday 21st February to Tuesday 22nd April 2025

Exhibition Gallery, open daily 10am-5pm.

Whale Hello There!

Dive into the world of marine mammals this Easter holidays at The Deep, and discover their brand-new event ‘Whale Hello There!’

Between 28th March-21st April, come along and join us for our NEW event: Whale Hello There!

Listen into talks at 12pm & 2pm in Endless Ocean, as our Crew explore native marine mammals, toothed and baleen whales and seals, through a mixture of games and activities.

Make your mark on our beautiful blue whale mural, and pledge to spend 2025 and beyond helping our planet.

Visit each of our fun, hands-on activity stations for the chance to win a marine-themed prize bundle!

Our Whale Hello There event is included in your standard admission ticket; no additional booking is required. Visitors are highly advised to book their entry tickets in advance of a visit.

Artist in Residence: Maddie Morris

Maddie is the Ferens Artist in Residence whose work will be featured in our exhibition opening in February 2025 entitled Sirens: Women and the Sea. They will be responding to Herbert James Draper’s painting Ulysses and the Sirens (c1909).

Maddie is a Folk singer and songwriter from Leeds who takes traditional songwriting and shines a light on contemporary issues about the world we live in. Their songs highlight inequality, challenge viewpoints, and provides an inclusive space for shared experiences.

They have taken inspiration from the characters in Ulysses and the Sirens and worked with community groups, to give them new voices and tell a new ‘Siren Song’. Visitors will be able to listen to the new tracks in the exhibition.

In Therapy with North Sea, Solmaz Farhang

Let’s meet up with the North Sea; sit together, breathe together, and reflect on our relationship: the love and affection we share, the anger and frustrations we face.  

In Therapy with North Sea at Humber Street Gallery invites the audience to an unconventional encounter with the North Sea and an exploration of our coexistence. 

 The North Sea is home to an incredible diversity of species and organisms, with its coasts sustaining countless human communities. The coastline is in constant flux, a shifting landscape that impacts our lives profoundly. Where the North Sea ends and the land begins is a question with no clear answer. It is a frontier and a crossroads, a service station for travelers and thoroughfare for expansion and migration. A sea with a fraught history of war, trade and industry which now finds itself subject to numerous environmental changes as a consequence of the global climate crisis; all whilst being an entity by which people have and do live out domestic lives.  

How can we engage with such co-existing histories and realities in order to adapt and transform when our cherished memories and places are at risk? As the North Sea increasingly becomes a place for research, natural energy, and conversations around climate change, what do we truly mean by gaining resilience? 

In Therapy with North Sea delves into these pressing questions through witty and participatory multimedia installations. It speculates on our future and seeks to prepare our collective imagination to dive forwards, and perhaps into, the North Sea.