S for Southend 2023
Focal Point Gallery‘S for Southend’ is back for our community exhibition showcasing artworks made by local residents and artists of all ages during 2022.
Focal Point Gallery is delighted to share works made by participants across their ongoing learning programme, including artworks created by their Children’s Art Club, led by local artists, Sarah Ward and Fern Worsley. The aim of the regular free Creative Open Days is to encourage all members of families to get creative! On display, a mural of graffiti work that was collaboratively made by over 40 participants in a Creative Open Day led by Graffiti Artist, Karl Sims. In addition, a slideshow showing in-action photographs of participants creating digital art that was produced in this year’s Digifest celebrations. You’ll also see the results of workshops which included animation, photography and game design. Accompanied by pieces of work made in the monthly Contemporary Elders programme include poetry, architecture mood boards and contact microphones.
Expecting Art, a partnership project with A Better Start Southend, presents casts of pregnant forms individually telling their stories and finding their identities through a collaborative display. Led by artist Alison Garner, with Hazel Sankey these artworks have been created through a series of workshops with participants as they explored their experiences and expectations of forthcoming parenthood.
Featuring a short film ‘Sign/Sound/Southend’, produced and edited by Damien Robinson and Gabrielle Milanese. For this FPG Sounds commission, artist Damien Robinson has been working with local D/deaf people and BSL users to explore how sound is more than hearing.
The Southend City Youth Council have been considering the environment as a topic of main concern for this academic year. Following an art competition open to all schools in Southend, the winning entries will be chosen to display their artwork in ‘S for Southend’.
A project by Small Kids Big Ideas called ‘This is Me’ that has been co-produced by Children in Care resulting in a wonderful display of artworks produced by talented individuals. This collection shows their individual identities for each unique quality and not just a young person in care.
Paintings and sketches by local artist Benjamin Andreas (1991-2022) who has been described as an “real Essex lad” took inspiration from his surroundings growing up and living in Southend-on-Sea. With Benjamin’s family we have selected just some of his celebrated artworks to exhibit.
‘S for Southend 2023’ opens to the public on Wednesday 18 January 2023. With a public launch event being held at the gallery on Saturday 21 January 2023, 12 to 6pm. All are welcome!