AN art exhibition commemorating Chernobyl 30 years on is opening in Middlesbrough.
The exhibition, inspired by artists’ visit to the site of the world’s largest nuclear disaster, will launch this week at The House of Blah Blah gallery.
The group of 14 Northern artists known as 26:28 Collective, named after the day and year of the Chernobyl disaster, documented their resent visit to the country with photographs, videos and interviews.
The exhibition titled, ‘30 Years On – Chernobyl Exposed’ will tour the country and include photography, installations and graphic design work.
Each piece of work is a personal response of each artist and the group hope the exhibition will raise awareness of the dangers of nuclear energy.
Project manager and embroidery artist, Claire Baker from Norton said: “The research undertaken during the trip, which was exciting but also traumatic, has formed the initial work produced and now being showcased by 26:86 Collective.
“Quite a few members of the group had definite views of what they were going to focus on during the trip but some of the artists reviewed their proposed ideas when they got there and saw and felt emotional connections to what was around them.
“After spending three full days in Chernobyl, taking inspiration from the isolated community and its abandoned houses and schools, the work we have all produced is in many ways different to our original ideas.”
Ms Baker, also a textile programme leader at Cleveland College of Art and Design, added: “It is very exciting to see the exhibition come together and it will make a fascinating and thought-provoking visit for people."
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