OVER THE RIVER
Collaborative Open Submission Exhibition
Artists in Essex and Suffolk Selected by Claire Doherty and Peter Jenkinson

16 March - 31 May 2002
Wolsey Art Gallery

Following the success of the first collaborative exhibition On the Border, The Wolsey Art Gallery, Ipswich and Firstsite, Colchester got together again to produce the open submission exhibition Over the River.

A unique contemporary visual arts event showing the work of 45 artists from two counties in two major venues concurrently. Over the River was a national innovation initiated by Wolsey Art Gallery and firstsite @ the Minories Art Gallery, Colchester. It formed part of a project financially supported by East England Arts Regional Arts Lottery Programme to help raise the profile of artists in the two counties.

Artists were invited to submit work in any medium and on any scale – the only restriction being that they must either live or work in one of the two counties. The selectors were Claire Doherty and Peter Jenkinson. Peter Jenkinson was awarded an OBE in 2001 for services to Museums and the Arts. He had just taken up the post of National Director for Creative Partnerships at the Arts Council of England. Previously he was the founding Director of the recently opened innovative and popular £21 million New Art Gallery Walsall. The gallery is noted for its pioneering work in developing broad audiences, its commitment to education and to free admission. He is the Chair of the Visual Arts and Galleries Association and plays an active role in many other cultural agencies. Claire Doherty is a freelance curator. She has worked at the Ikon Gallery, Birmingham and Spike Island, Bristol.

The exhibition attracted over 220 submissions. 45 artists were eventually selected after much deliberation and discussion. The work selected crossed a variety of mediums, from drawing, painting, sculpture and ceramics to photography, video and installation. There were no restrictions in the scale of the work and artists of all generations - from students to octogenarians - were allowed to apply.

Artwork was also displayed in the area’s train stations. Work by Matthew Chambers was on show at Chelmsford, Jacqueline Davis in Colchester, Jax Horswill and Paul Richardson in Manningtree, Jevan Watkins Jones in Ipswich and Michael F Goodey at all stations.

Click here for a list of artists

Click here for information about accompanying Artists' Directory