A series of eye-catching artworks have gone on display on the Tyne and Wear Metro, showcasing a new exhibition at BALTIC which is set to open in May when lockdown measures ease.
In an exciting partnership with Metro operator, Nexus, work by 13 different artists are on display at Metro Station platforms at Bede, Cullercoats, Hebburn, Wallsend, West Jesmond, and at Gateshead Interchange. They will remain in place right through the summer.
These works are a taster of 158 works that form part of BALTIC’s forthcoming exhibition, BALTIC Open Submission, that is ready to be seen as soon as BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, in Gateshead, re-opens.
BALTIC is looking forward to sharing this exhibition with the public when it re-opens from Wednesday 19 May, under the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown.
Huw Lewis, Customer Services Director at Nexus, said: “We’re really proud to link up with BALTIC to showcase this amazing new art project on Metro.
“These displays on our stations and on our trains are a teaser of what people can expect from the exhibition when it opens in May when BALTIC is able to re-open on May 19.
“As more passengers start to return to Metro so more and more will be able to see these art works every single day.
“Metro has an extensive art on transport programme down the years, with a wide and varied range of works displayed in permanent and temporary installations. I’m really pleased we have been able to carry that on through this project as we start to emerge from lockdown.”
Sarah Munro, BALTIC Director, said: “Placing these artworks out into NewcastleGateshead brings with it a great sense of pride we can share the talent and creativity of the region. We can't wait to share this exhibition with the public when BALTIC Gateshead re-open in May. Right now people can see a selection of these wonderful works on buses, on digital billboards and in Metro station platforms and a flag flying from BALTIC.
“Collaborating with Nexus has enabled BALTIC to really amplify the reach of these artworks. Work by 13 different artists will be seen across the Bede, Hebburn, Wallsend, Cullercoats and West Jesmond Metro station platforms across the summer right into early autumn.”
“We also ensured we placed artworks in Birtley to inspire and reach the local communities from Birtley that we regularly connect with throughout the year providing activity packs and food parcels in each school half terms when holiday hunger becomes a real issue for those in receipt of free school meals”
Each year, BALTIC usually welcomes 450,000 visitors but has had to remain closed since early November with the ongoing lockdown. Last summer BALTIC put out a call for artists of all types and ability to submit works for an Open Submission exhibition. From 500 entries, 158 works were selected for a group show celebrating the art made by the people of the region. The works are by artists who have been making throughout their lifetime, to those just beginning; those who have studied fine art, to self-taught creatives.
In the meantime BALTIC is taking a selection of reproductions of these striking artworks out into the streets and outdoor areas in NewcastleGateshead to be seen on everyday routes, daily commutes and local walks from Monday 29 March onwards. Forty-three different artworks will be seen across various locations including Metro train windows, rears of buses, Bus stop shelters in Birtley and digital billboard screens on the approach to the Tyne Bridge and in Newcastle city centre.
For those who are able to get online, all 158 artworks can also be seen in BALTIC’s 3D virtual tour of the full exhibition, available at www.baltic.art/openout