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Nexus has joined Newcastle United's Steven Taylor and Radio 1's Trevor Nelson in backing a televised art campaign which is taking the nation by storm. And the results will be there for all to see throughout the Tyne and Wear Metro system over the coming months. North East teenagers have risen admirably to the challenge presented by Channel 4's hugely successful Self Portrait UK campaign - and, thanks to Nexus' innovative Public Art Programme, their art will be on proud display at Metro stations in the form of billboard posters. Magpies defender Steven Taylor - still a teenager himself and DJ Trevor Nelson are among the celebrities who have taken part by providing self-portraits for the exhibition, which is currently being featured on Channel 4. North East company Media 19 has been responsible for promoting the teenage section of the project Self Portrait 14-19 - in partnership with the National Portrait Gallery and Arts Council England. And with that campaign currently on the North East leg of its national tour, their portraits, along with those of writer and poet Benjamin Zephaniah and ballerina Darcey Bussell, are being shown at Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens until February 27. But passengers will be able to enjoy the North East artwork - which explores what it means to be a teenager in Britain today - long after that, at Metro platforms. “It is fantastic that Nexus is continuing to support the campaign, and is helping us to bring the new exhibition to an even wider audience,” said Belinda Williams, of Media 19.
“These self portraits really capture the range, imagination and diversity of the young people who took part in the campaign.” The Self Portrait 14-19 exhibition has been packing in the crowds at Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens since December, and curator Juliet Horsley is hoping that passengers intrigued by the new Nexus billboards will get along to view the full display in its final weeks. “The exhibition has proved to be a huge success, with over 30,000 visitors viewing since it opened to the public on December 10,” she said. “The images, which provide a fascinating insight into teenagers today, will provide interesting viewing for Metro passengers, and hopefully lead them to visit this wonderful exhibition.” The Manchester Art Gallery is the next stop for Self Portrait 14-19, with the exhibition then destined for the National Portrait Gallery and the London Underground. But before then, Nexus is determined that thousands of passengers here in the North East will get the chance to celebrate the imagination and talent of the region's youngsters. “It is great to see the pride and joy that is generated through publishing these teenage self-portraits on the Metro,” said Nexus Security and Customer Services Manager John Meagher.
“They will brighten the journeys of thousands of our passengers.” Meanwhile, up to 100 of the most distinctive self portraits of a campaign which has inspired teenagers across the country to take part, can be seen online at www.channel4.com/selfportraituk.
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