The NAE Open 2024, held from May 25 to September 21, 2024, has once again proven to be a highlight in Nottingham’s cultural calendar. This fourth iteration of the exhibition is a testament to the diverse artistic talent present both within Nottinghamshire and across the UK. The selection process, which invited submissions from Nottinghamshire-based artists and Global Ethnic Majority artists from across the UK, has resulted in an exhibition that is both visually captivating and mentally stimulating.
The artworks brought in personal narratives of migration, explorations of societal belonging, and reflections on political and cultural perspectives regarding race and gender identity, among other themes. Additionally, the exhibition honored Nottingham by highlighting its people and economic landscape.
The exhibition features a total of 41 artists, some new and some established, including Aaron Greco, Alexandra Su Yin Hon, Alexis Chabala, Andre Kong, Bims Ayorinde, Broken Glass, Christopher Samuel, Craig Humpston, Dana Church, Duong Thuy Nguyen, Eelyn Lee, Elaheh Raofi, Gayatri Pasricha, Gayi Soori, Grace Eden, Habib Hajallie, Heather Agyepong, Imrana Tanveer, Jasmine Dhingra, Jasper Pedyo, Jenny Ping Lam Lin, Kim Walker, Circle Lok Ling Yuen, Madara Vimba, Unu Lucky Mamu, Misha Milovanovich, Mustafa Boga, Nick Mobbs, Suman Guyral, Remi Rana Allen, Seph Li, Serena Ramjee, Seungjo Jeong, Sherrie Edgar, Thomas Ince, Veronica Poje, Wei Zhou, Snow Xueyi Huang, Yuqian Li, and Zory Shahrokhi.
Upon entering the gallery, I was immediately struck by the dynamic array of displays in various sizes. The exhibition features a rich variety of paintings, video art, visual art, political messages conveyed through art, photography, textiles, and sculptures. I particularly liked Seph Li's "Everything Before, Everything After," a digital screen installation of a meandering river rendered in Chinese ink that constantly shifts its path as it flows, symbolizing how one can alter history through human interactions. Aaron Greco's "In My Skin," featuring beautifully captured photographic prints of people with vitiligo, was particularly captivating.
Culture-inspired pieces like Jasmine Dhingra's "Layered Lives" brought in portrait scenes exploring identities from her mixed Swiss/Indian heritage. Additionally, Bims Ayorinde's "The Bucket Bath" depicted the painful joy behind the simple ritual of a child bathing in a bucket, highlighting the meaning and depth behind those traditions. A central highlight of the exhibition was Madara Vimba's "My Dear Fatherland," which drew inspiration from Latvian traditions, specifically the "Kekatas" ritual performed during the winter solstice. The masked identity and visual effects made it a standout piece, connecting it to her native roots and language.
The exhibition also included visual shows (projections) from three artists, each lasting a few minutes. Further ahead in a room, another notable installation was Andre Kong's "Whale in the Room," which highlighted ocean-found plastic waste and nets with strobe lights and steel cables, emphasizing the issue of marine plastic pollution and its severe impact on sea life and coastal ecosystems.
I was also given physical leaflets to understand the artists better. Additionally, each artwork had a description written on the right, which was easy to read and made me feel more connected to the works.
Rating: 4.5/5
Overall, this exhibition tackles a myriad of critical societal issues through powerful art, making it a must-visit for anyone engaged in today's most pressing conversations.
0 Comments