Visual Arts & Exhibitions

September saw the private view of the Grundy Art Gallery’s current exhibition of light installations entitled Sensory Systems as part of Lightpool at Blackpool Illuminations.  Angela Bulloch, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Ann Veronica Janssens, Anthony McCall, Conrad Shawcross are the artists featuring in the show Sensory Systems, a truly wonderful exhibition which radiates throughout the entire gallery space. Five separate chambers inside the Grundy have been created to emit each unique light experience. On entering the gallery a mesmerising projection Slow Arc by Conrad Shawcross has been installed creating hypnotic patterns onto the walls, which move fluidly and quite erratically, causing a sensation of…

People of Blackpool, assemble yourselves to the Grundy Art Gallery for LeftCoast Golden Section event. Golden Section is LeftCoast’s monthly creative conversation where they invite a visiting artist, creative or generally extraordinary person to town to give you the chance to hear about how they got where they are today. This October LeftCoast is welcoming Turner Prize nominated Assemble, a collective practice based in London who work across the fields of art, architecture and design to bring people into the process of creating places. Assemble have produced a plethora of fantastic and innovative projects as a result or interdependent and collaborative…

This autumn, the Grand Theatre's Stage Door Cafe Bar is being artfully transformed into a gallery, showcasing the work of an acclaimed local artist. Until Sunday, November 8, the vibrant works of art by Fylde-based and nationally and internationally exhibited artist, Alistair J. Parker will adorn the walls. Alistair’s work is described as "modern art an archaic twist". Fusing photographic, digital, and experimental mixed media techniques, his unique method produces an unconventional, even eccentric, style. The pictures currently on display at The Grand's free exhibition depict scenes of some of Blackpool’s most treasured landmarks, including the theatre  itself, and depict the town with…

In recent years Blackpool ‘art scene’, had somewhat dwindled, but with new and upcoming ventures embracing the town, that scene is putting Blackpool back on the art map. Abingdon Studios, Blackpool’s newest contemporary art studios housing an array of local professional artists has now received an amazing accolade of securing Arts Council funding. What this means for Abingdon Studios and the Blackpool art scene (which could now be described as thriving) is that artists who are based here can further their ventures, and develop the studios model as a space for production. Alongside securing the Arts Council funding Abingdon Studios and the…

Supercollider's Destroy Blackpool exhibition provides antithesis to title in the making, as several artists collaborate to exhibit their works for a joint show at Abingdon Studios. If it is something either traditional, or perhaps something more ground breaking and out there you are looking for in the visual arts scene, then Supercollider is for you. From jelly, to a repetitive film sequence, this exhibition has plenty for your senses to enjoy. Although on a shoestring budget, Supercollider always seems to smash it with a cool turn out, and never fails to popularise modern art from both the local art world, and…

With Blackpool's own Rebellion Punk Festival fast approaching, I spent some time talking to dedicated artist David Worth who features and sells his work at the festival and further afield. Get his story here: Who are you and what do you do? I am David Worth, I create digital caricatures under the name of Punk Rock Cartoons. These are cartoons of musicians, bands and people from the world of Punk, Rock, Alternative, Pop and Movies. How long have you been in Blackpool and what’s your background? I was born, raised and still live in Blackpool. My art background is an…