Open Art Competition
The Albert Room transformed into a room of colour and imagination throughout August and September, as Lincs Inspire Libraries hosted its second Open Art Exhibition – a celebration of local creative talent. 3,763 people from across the region visited the exhibition, many leaving complimentary feedback and voting for their favourite. A panel of library judges also had the unenviable task of selecting their own winner from the 37 pieces of art. The votes are now in…
Judges' Vote Winner
Geoff Humphreys - 'Freeman Street Market'
Congratulations to the winner of the judging panel vote – Geoff Humphreys with his oil canvas painting ‘Freeman Street Market’. Working from several photographs, Grimsby born Geoff was able to recreate the rich colours and market day atmosphere in his work, he explains:
“I visited the market recently for the first time in years and was amazed by the variety of colour and contrast and the relationship between the natural and artificial light. Typically, I work on the spot in front of subjects, so working from photographs was different. I was pleasantly surprised to be selected as winner of the judges’ vote – I didn’t know the library hosted this exhibition until earlier in the year, and it has a real variety of work from a lot of local talent”
Geoff has a Master of Arts from Royal Academy of Arts in London, specialising in fine art. After winning a Greek Government Scholarship he studied for one year at the School of Fine Arts in Athens. He’s exhibited in galleries throughout the world, including the Royal Academy Summer Show, Fine Art Society in Bond Street and Mall Galleries. Most recently, he’s exhibited at Coffee on the Docks on Grimsby Docks and The Riverside Gallery One Man Show in Louth. Geoff’s paintings are available for sale, and he can be contacted on Facebook.
Kim Rothman works in the development team at Lincs Inspire Libraries and sat on the voting panel, she explains:
I love the warmth, colour and energy of the market. We chose this piece as it captures its essence. The light is wonderful as it highlights the details in the painting such as the onions and hessian sacks. It has a lovely mix of light, energy and market vibes!
Public Vote Winner
Louise Barnard - 'Gentle Friend'
Congratulations to the public vote winner – Louise Barnard with her watercolour painting ‘Gentle Friend’. Louise’s love for animals is clear to see in her work. For the past two and half years she’s specialised in pet portraits, painting dogs, cats and horses for commission.
Aptly named ‘Gentle Friend’, her painting beautifully captures the nature of a donkey, with such attention to detail that gives it photorealism qualities.
Louise said: “Generally, I paint pet or wildlife portraits; fur and feathers are my favourite subjects. I love paintings where the subjects look out at you – if you can get the eyes and nose right – you’ve cracked it! I’m thrilled to win the public vote! I feel so grateful for every commission, but to have people generally appreciate my work means so much – thank you to everyone who voted for me.”
Louise’s watercolour entries in this year’s Open Art Competition are only the second time she’s exhibited her work in a gallery, following 18 months ago when she first exhibited at Cleethorpes restaurant ‘The Grumpy Kitchen’. More of Louise’s work can be seen on her Facebook and Instagram pages @LouBarnardArt, where she is also contactable for commissioned pet portraits.
A massive well done to both Geoff and Louise, who win £50 and £25 prizes respectively.
Thank you to all the wonderful artists who entered this year’s competition, inspiring visitors of all ages and walks of life.
