This was my second visit to the Ferens Open Exhibition in Hull, which I entered successfully in 2019. This year’s exhibition was delayed because of lock down so the experience was lacking some of the excitement of the opening night which we experienced last time.
The work was as varied and interesting as before but I have to say that the stand out pieces were a bit thin on the ground. I suspect that a lack of creativity during lockdown had led to fewer artists finding their spark in time for the deadline, as this is certainly something that I experienced. But as before, for a regional gallery, the Ferens is a superb space and the work was very well curated. Some of my favourite pieces are below and as usual, I was drawn to the slightly abstract landscapes and figurative work. I particularly liked the last painting of a brooding East Yorkshire coast scene. The dark Turneresque scene really drew me in and reminded me of many childhood trips to the coast on rainy winter days.
