Middlesbrough’s annual pop-up show celebrating art and comics is back – and better than ever. Organised by art collective Spaghetti North, the exhibition seeks to showcase some of Teesside University’s best arts and graphic talent.
Taking place at the Creative Factory, 46 Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough, tomorrow (Friday 7 February), the event aims to provide a platform for those working across the creative sector.
The gallery is located in the former retail space of H.Samuel jewellery store.
Julian Lawrence, a senior lecturer in comics at the university who is one of the event organisers said: ”What I found is when you go to different communities around the world, you will find communities of comics, artists and cartoonists. So you find a place to fit in.”
Other members involved in the pop-up show also view it as a valuable opportunity to reconnect and network with both old and new alumni.
”Some of these people haven’t seen each other for a good few years and it’s a nice way to get community people together,” said Sophie Poole, a former student showcasing her commission-based work for the niche video game Balatro.
The event features work from artists all across the world.
Charleen Tang, a first-year student at Teesside said: ”I grew up in Asia, so I’m very inspired by a lot of manga [a style of Japanese novel].
”And for the other work I’ve been putting out, that I’ve done in school, it’s mostly influenced by Chinese historical influences.”
Lawrence expanded on this idea, highlighting how his community newspaper, The Drippy Gazette, acts as a societal reflection of his former workplace, Vancouver – a city known for its torrential downpour.
By Jey Draper (with contributions from Nell Poole, Scarlett Donnelly and Hannah Metcalfe)
