FEATURE: Coming Up In 2018 – Art

Image: Heart of the Matter by Stephen King

Great North Museum: Hancock takes an arts and science-led exploration of the human heart in The Heart of the Matter (24/3-6/5); while The Hatton and Laing Art Galleries present a major retrospective of work by the master of post-minimalist abstraction, Sean Scully (10/2-26/5).

Newcastle’s Holy Biscuit exhibits paintings by Baghdad born Ausama Al Kalil, whose work speaks of displacement, care, recovery and reconciliation (Mar-Apr). Landscape painter John Brenton captures the beauty and drama of coastlines and the countryside over the road at Biscuit Factory (2/3-20/5), and later in the year the gallery also takes part in the annual Spring Ouseburn Open Studios weekend (17-18/3).

Those with families will find much to love at Bowes Museum’s The BFG in Pictures (14/7-30/9), featuring original Quentin Blake illustrations. Vane Gallery host the prestigious Jerwood Drawing Prize (25/5-28/7), with pieces by 65 artists on display including work by Vane artist Barbara Walker.

Fancy having a go yourself? Middlesbrough’s Peg Powler Gallery are making one-on-one mini art workshops available to those in need of a creative boost. Simply get in touch via www.pegpowler.blogspot.com, and they’ll come running with an arty fix.

On an all-round cultural note, 2018 will see the Great Exhibition of the North (22/6-9/9) bring a huge amount of unique programming to Tyneside. Focusing on discovering the story of the North through a variety of mediums and exploring art, culture, design and innovation. Highlights include the return of Stephenson’s Rocket to its birthplace in Newcastle, displays of Britain’s first astronaut Helen Sharman’s space suit and John Lennon’s famous Record Plant Piano. We’ll bring you more info as it’s announced or visit www.getnorth2018.com for regular updates.