13 September – 10 November 2019
Conceived and developed by Westmorland, the Westmorland Landscape Prize aims to document, celebrate and interrogate our relationship with the landscape. Following a national open call, which led to the submission of over 1,000 artworks, 71 artists have been selected to exhibit at the gallery at Rheged Centre, Penrith in Cumbria from 13 September – 10 November 2019.
The exhibition was selected by a panel of eminent individuals from the art world: Cherie Federico, Editor of Aesthetica Magazine; Anne Desmet RA, Artist and Royal Academician; and Hazel Stone, Arts Development Manager for Forestry England. The panel were looking for work which reaches beyond the aesthetic, stimulating thinking and debate about the way in which we exist alongside, as part of, or sometimes in spite of our landscape. The range of creative approaches and mediums submitted for consideration delighted the selectors and they are confident that the exhibition reflects how artists are using their skills and talents to explore this subject.
The exhibition includes artists from across the UK working in painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture as well as artists working in video and installation. Many of the artists’ work are for sale and a fully illustrated catalogue will support the exhibition.
The exhibition will open at the Rheged Centre, Cumbria on 13 September, where it will remain until 10 November. One of the shortlisted artists will be awarded a Prize of £10,000 by one of the selectors, Cherie Federica at the exhibition private view and awards ceremony on 12 September 2019 at Rheged Centre.
John Stokes, Arts Manager at Westmorland said “This is a substantial prize that aims to reward an artist who uses Landscape Art to deliver new messages about how we interact with the natural world around us, and how we shape it simply by living in it. Our influence is ubiquitous, whether it is walkers eroding Lake District paths, litter and detritus left behind, or the built environment within nature. We hope that the prize will be a boost for an artist’s career and will support their practice.”
For further information, please visit landscape.artopps.co.uk