Regeneration by Martin Kinnear

Moving exhibition at the Bowes Museum of new work by Martin Kinnear.

The show had been scheduled to happen pre-Covid but became about it as he worked though the lockdowns.

These were big bold paintings of Northern towns and landscapes which were mainly unnamed but were accompanied by a profound commentary. Kinnear had been disabled in an accident so the pictures were also about how life can change suddenly.

There was a good video interview with him discussion the works including the Pieta in the show, a dramatic picture which should be acquired by a church. There was also a video installation inspired by local waterfalls of cascading words.

We went a week before it closed when we were nearby on holiday. It was lovely that there seemed to be local people in responding to the works. I have to give a shout out to the museum too. I had not been before but was very impressed. In fact we didn’t have long enough on out first visit and ended up going back again the next day.

Closes 25 April 2022

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