What is happening in the region?

Creative region 

As a follow up from our last lecture on 'What is happening now?' we also researched into what is happening within our creative region. Our creative region, ranging from North Yorkshire to Northumbria is vastly diverse, meaning that there is constant changes and uniqueness deriving from the creative produce. 

We were asked to independently uncover what is happening now within our region, and research into one of the following areas to find out more: 

• Hartlepool
• Newcastle
• Middlesborough
• Stockton
• Darlington

I decided to focus my research on Newcastle, for it is a huge city in the North East that represents and embraces its cultural side. Also, it is home to many great art galleries and museums, some of which I have had the pleasure of visiting. 

One of these galleries is The Biscuit Factory, an independent gallery who feature in their exhibits a huge variety of artists, pieces and produce. I visited this gallery last year, and it stayed with me because it kept me very interested the whole time I was there. I was able to wander around for a good length of time viewing the local artists work, all of which was beautiful and stayed with me after leaving. Two artists that are currently featuring in the Biscuit Factory are Gaynor Ostinelli and Paul Priest, who work collaboratively to create beautiful ceramic animals. I discovered their work here and find it beautiful to look at. 

A piece of theirs entitled 'Arctic Hare 3'

The biscuit factory exhibit many different kinds of artists who feature in paintings, prints, sculpture, furniture, photography, ceramics, glass, jewelry and textiles. The artists work is incredibly professional and beautiful, and their current spring exhibition is their first this year, displaying work from new artists such as Basia Roszak, Jill Barthorpe, Jo Taylor and Lizzie Rowe.

Portraiture piece by Jill Barthorpe entitled
'Philippe' using Oil on Canvas
(24" x 20") 

Another huge Newcastle based gallery is the Baltic Centre who focus on contemporary art.  I have visited this gallery a number of times now, the last time visiting an exhibit by artist Daniel Buren, who is considered to be the greatest living artist in France right now. It was a privilege to view his work and it is a massive thing that the Baltic provide the opportunity to visit global artists such as Buren and it is outstanding that they hold both national and international showings within our region.  

My personal favourite part of the exhibit 

We were also asked to research award winning companies found in our chosen area of the North East. I chose to look at Dirty Hands, who describe themselves as "A creative design studio based in Newcastle England, born from a desire to create unique, vibrant imagery". I have visited this studio also in the past, and when researching more about them on their website, have been able to learn much more about them. This included the great variety of work they provide as well as their sales and other happenings within their studio. Their studio includes a bar, and as a company they withhold their own magazine, clothing range, interior work, and branding logos. 

I looked at their work created for the Zapatista Burrito Bar in Newcastle, finding that when this bar opened, they decorated the interior design for the layout of the shop, illustrating beautiful designs on the 5 large walls within, creating a vibrant new look to the company and suiting the theme of the restaurant. Since this, they have also been assisting Zapatista with promotional work. 

Examples of the work they painted
on the internal exterior,

Example 2 close up detail

I really admire the way they designed the walls for this project, finding great interest in their style. It is a brilliant way for them to expand their popularity through designing interiors of other companies as well as their own. 

Upon researching the various illustrators that are popular within Newcastle, I decided to look into childrens illustrators first where I discovered Lucy Farfort, a freelance illustrator specialising in the childrens market. She finds a great enjoyment in illustrating animals mostly, often using her favourite colours within her work: turquoise and shades of purple. Lucy also does commission work including picture books and work within magazines, poster work, t-shirt designs and graphic work on particular websites. She also sells her own greetings cards and prints, and is always keen to collaborate and hear about new project ideas. 

Lucy has a stunning online portfolio, I particularly love the innocence of her work which I think is partially gained from her delicate colour palette and gentle consideration when illustrating her characters and scenarios. 

Monkey Sundae Illustration

Details on Tea with Moon illustration

When researching available studio spaces within this city, I discovered 36 Lime Street which offers affordable studio spaces which are available to rent for artists.


I began trying to research art festivals that might be available to visit within the creative area of Newcastle. I discovered that last year between the 28th and 31st of August, the Newcastle Arts Festival was held, however unfortunately no upcoming events are to be held this year. It would be a good idea however for myself to look into this regularly as this could be very interesting for me.

Looking into what Newcastle has to offer in terms of art has enabled me to further realise the potential of the North East, especially when considering the creative industries. It has proved to me that it is not actually necessary to move to another area of the UK such as London in order to thrive creatively, because the North East holds just as much opportunities however is just not rewarded with quite as much praise.

I plan to keep up to date with the current happenings within my region as well as across the UK and around the world to assist me with my studies and help me to envision new ideas and keep my inspiration and influences at a constant whilst studying and beyond studying.