An exhibition inspired by the 100th anniversary of the General Strike has opened at Hartlepool Art Gallery under the title Resilience.
It features work by 50 artists selected through an open call for people with links to Hartlepool.
It looks at resilience whether manifested through personal survival and psychological recovery or through strong community bonds.
Five of the exhibiting artists have been shortlisted by an independent panel of judges and visitors are asked to vote for their favourite artwork.
The artist gathering the most votes will get the opportunity to stage a solo exhibition at the gallery.
A companion exhibition, Hartlepool’s Resilience, features objects and artworks from Hartlepool Borough Council’s collection.
The objects, reflecting in some way the strength and spirit of Hartlepool and its people, were selected by Hartlepool Museum Service volunteers Roger Codner, Olwyn Hart, Russell McAndrew, John Oxley and Frances Wilson.
John Oxley said: “Hartlepool is a proud town, full of resilient people. We wanted to capture that spirit in the artworks and objects we chose.”
Frances Wilson added: “We didn’t always choose the paintings the curators might have selected, but after plenty of debate we chose those we felt best represented the resilience of Hartlepool people, past and present.”
Gemma Ptak, the council’s director of housing, growth and communities, said: “This exhibition is a powerful reflection of what resilience means to Hartlepool, from our shared history to the creativity and determination of people living and working here today.
“It’s fantastic to see local artists and volunteers coming together to tell those stories, and I’d encourage residents and visitors alike to come along, enjoy the exhibition and help shape the future solo exhibition by voting for their favourite artwork.”
Hartlepool Art Gallery, in Church Square, is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am–4pm, and admission is free. Find details of this and other Hartlepool events here.
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