Covid-19 friendly exhibition at The Storey Gallery in Lancaster

Her solo exhibition should have opened at The Storey Gallery in Lancaster but due to local social restrictions she has had to postpone the event until April 2021.

Instead of waiting another six months she decided to make the most of the opportunity to show some of the work in a different and Covid friendly context.

Laura said: “I wanted to mark the original timing of the show in some way, to acknowledge all the months I’ve spent preparing for this exhibition.

“The idea was to create some semblance of an exhibition opening/private view that engages with an audience and allows for some interaction between the viewer and the work.”

Laura invited individuals and small family groups to the gallery to be photographed with one of the twenty, almost identical, seascapes in the series.

The results have been compiled into a small virtual exhibition, exhibited (here) and on a variety of social media platforms.

Laura said: “There is a lightness and positivity to the photographs which I didn’t expect but really appreciate. By juxtaposing the viewer with the work of art I was trying to create some dialogue between the people’s faces (portraiture) and the paintings (land/seascape).

“The aim was not to tell a story but rather, reimagine, re-picture, the paintings into a different setting.”

With the temporary and longer term closures of many galleries, theatres and music venues, artists and performers are having to bring their work to the audience more than ever before.

She said: “Providing cultural nourishment and stimulation for our local communities and nationally is difficult at the moment, but as important as ever.“It felt really good to be pro-active despite the disappointment of not having the actual exhibition.

“And it’s given me lots of new ideas too so watch this space!’

For more information about Laura’s work and forthcoming exhibition visit her website www.lauravantatenhove.com or Instagram site @lauravantatenhove.

The Storey gallery is operating under revised opening times of Monday - Friday 9.30am - 4.30pm for the time being.