(Above) Newcastle muso-artist Matt Stokes is inspired by punk art
Exhibition: The Northern Art Prize 2009, Leeds Art Gallery, Leeds, until February 21 2010
There is a stark contrast in approach and content to be found in this year’s Northern Art Prize finalists. Touching on numerous themes it's a wonderful collection of contemporary visual art that makes you feel as though you’ve been on a journey.
Now in its third year, the Prize was created by Pippa Hale to celebrate and reward visual artists in the North of England, celebrating their achievements on "home turf".
The would-be winners have been shortlisted from an initial 23 nominations, and the victor – announced on January 21 2010 – will receive £16,500, with the runners-up each earning £1,500.
The journey begins with Pavel Buchler. Born in Czechoslovakia in 1952, Bucher’s work is an act of subversion. By juxtaposing objects he aims to show the irrational nature of everyday life, and challenges our view of the ordinary.
Czech-born artist, lecturer and writer Pavel Buchler
In Among The Ashes at first strikes you as a forgotten cabinet, containing what appears to be only a glass ash tray.
But walk closer and a small diamond becomes visible within it, highlighting the almost absurd realisation that the substance normally discarded into such a vessel is, in its basic components, the same as this precious gem.
Although wholly serious in its intentions, Buchler’s witty, open-ended approach induces a feeling of lightheartedness compared to some of the other works.
Within the same space, in a dark closed room, Nick Crowe and Ian Rawlinson's film, Twinkle, provides a much more unsettling experience.
Through the exploration of duality the artists address issues surrounding faith, politics, national identity and the environment.
Nick Crowe and Ian Rawlinson
In the film two strange figures sway unnervingly, accompanied by deep, sinister sounds. Their faces slowly morph and split in two, causing an almost hypnotic effect.
Also working with film, Matt Stokes' work often involves working with groups of people connected with music subcultures.
These Are The Days is a two-channel film which questions the nature of originality, tribute, and circularity.
Within a large, dark lecture theatre the two films are projected onto screens which dominate the room.
The first is of a crowd at a specially organised music event. The second is of a band put together for the project, performing music made in response to the video of the audience. With these techniques, the film reverses the role of performer and audience.
Rachel Goodyear says the Prize is a "fantastic platform" for her drawings
Rachel Goodyear's delicate drawings are disturbing and intriguing, depicting alien scenes. The apparent lack of narrative between the works adds to the dream-like feel, which also makes them strangely familiar and intriguing to the eye.
This year's prize has brought together a truly rich and engaging body of creations. "We hope people will leave having really engaged with the different artworks," says Curator of Exhibitions Tanja Pirsig-Marshall, who wants the show to give visitors a spotlight into modern contemporary art.
With such thoughtful works, I am sure the Northern Art Prize will not disappoint.
Admission free, call 0113 2478 256 or visit the Gallery online for Christmas and New Year closures.
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