News-Autumn exhibitions bring unique insights and challenge preconceptions

Art Cares and Invisible Visible will both open at Bishop Auckland Town Hall on Wednesday (11 September).

Originally displayed in bus shelters across the region as part of the Art Stops project, Art Cares brings together 29 unique artworks by young people who have experienced living in care. The artworks share the young people's thoughts, feelings, and passions, while celebrating their diversity and sending out a clear message - "We are people, not problems."

The exhibition will be on display in the Main Gallery at the venue, where visitors can also watch a documentary created by the young people about how art and creativity support them to express their emotions.

Sparking conversations

In the Strong Room Gallery, meanwhile, Invisible Visible invites an unflinching foray into the individual and collective experiences of those with disabilities in the workplace.

Created by Hope Caitlin Simpson, a 23-year-old poet, photographer and visual artist from Bishop Auckland, the exhibition details seven unique and anonymous first-hand accounts of being disabled in the workplace. Each account is translated into visual language to spark conversations around a topic that is often treated as taboo.

Hope, who has been chronically ill since the age of 11, said: "Being disabled can feel akin to being both invisible and hyper visible, without ever really feeling seen. I've spent most of my teenage years and those of a young adult, feeling the constant pressure to make myself smaller in order to fit into the world around me.

"This collection speaks to the reality that there is much more we can do in the world to make space and I hope those who can see themselves represented, can know their value is in every part of themselves."

Hope created Invisible Visible in collaboration with the social enterprise organisation, Changing Relations, Bishop Auckland Town Hall and Durham University.

Providing a platform

Cllr Elizabeth Scott, our Cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: "When planning programmes for Bishop Auckland Town Hall and our other venues, we place great importance on work that celebrates diversity, showcases the talents of our young people and gives a voice to those who have traditionally been underrepresented in the arts.

"Art Cares and Invisible Visible are perfect examples of this and we are delighted to be sharing the work of the amazing young artists behind these exhibitions.

"We believe this commitment to providing experiences that not only entertain but encourage people to look at things from a different perspective has played a significant part in establishing Durham's reputation as the Culture County."

The exhibitions will be open to the public from Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm, until Saturday 30 November.