Warrington M&S store plays host to First Light exhibition

In 2020, final year students from all over the region were unable to host a degree show – the culmination of three years of work – due to pandemic restrictions.

But thanks to a project by Manchester's Castlefield Gallery to breathe new life into unused commercial properties, the show will go on for 13 of the most promising new photographers from the north.

Alberto Gonzalez

A collaboration between a number of groups – including Culture Warrington and Warrington Borough Council – will see the 'First Light' exhibition at the old M&S unit from tomorrow, Saturday, until July 4.

A panel of industry professionals have selected a graduate from each of the 13 participating universities to take part in the event.

As previously reported in the Guardian, Castlefield Gallery is hosting pop-up events at the former Sankey Street store under the name 'New Art Space: Warrington' for as long as it is not being used for retail purposes.

Kayleigh Cleminson

Mario Popham, visual arts coordinator at Waterside, Trafford, is curating the event and sees it as a unique challenge.

He said: "I’m really happy that it’s fallen into place like this. Our usual venue was closed so to be able to team up with Open Eye Gallery and Castlefield Gallery and bring a show to an unusual space has been a great challenge.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Mario added: "It’s all happening now. We’re smartening up the place, paint is on the walls and we're trying to transform this quite derelict space into something which is quite lively and inviting and attractive.

Curator Mario Popham

The pop-up showcase has also given Mario the chance to look at exhibitions in a different way.

He said: "The spaces I work in are usually purpose built and you’d have walls that are fairly well prepped.

"Whereas with this we’re essentially making a space from scratch. It’s been a challenging thing but it’s been great in a way as you can set out your own vision for it. It’s been refreshing for us to have this blank canvas. I’m also trying to keep tabs on 13 different artists.

Dan Commons

"They are all graduates but they have all missed out on the essential learning experience of the degree show. A lot of them are doing it for the first time so there is quite an element of mentoring through the process.

"It’s been difficult but really valuable for them to think about how their work might live off the screen."

The exhibition may not be in a conventional gallery or studio but it will be treated with the same level of prestige. A series of free talks, hosted by Open Eye Gallery, will take place on Zoom and bring together the photographers, writers and educators who are central to the project.

Nick Small

A publication will also be produced by Open Eye’s Laura Robertson featuring 13 pieces of new writing in response to the photographs.

Mario, who has had work exhibited at Home in Manchester and Groundwork Gallery in King’s Lynn, added: "It’s been pretty intensive but the work is coming together and it’s a great opportunity. To have this showcase with all these galleries involved is a big deal for them.

"The creative industries are one of the biggest assets for Britain but it’s not on the government’s agenda at the moment. So anything we can offer students and young people who want a future in the arts is incredibly valuable."

Schnel Franzine

Mario thinks the event's format could shape future exhibitions and how curators respond to the 'invisible barrier' some people face in thinking cultural venues are not for them.

He said: "It’s really made me think about this sort of model of looking beyond the gallery, bringing work outside of institutions and having that surprise element.

"I think there is a perception that galleries are ‘ivory tower’ places which are inaccessible to most people. There’s this kind of wariness about those kinds of institutions.

Zaneta Cinova

"So to bring it out onto the street where all the shops are makes a great statement that it’s for everyone from the mildly curious to the enthusiast."

Mario would also like to work more in Warrington based on the experience.

He added: "I wasn’t very familiar with the place but it’s been lovely talking to Warrington artists who are in the space already and also to people stopping by.

The work in situ

"We’ve got a window display which is kind of a little preview of the kind of work that you’ll see in the main show and people have been curious.

"A few people have been puzzled as well but we’ve been happy to tell them about what’s going on.

"Culture Warrington do an amazing job already but to be able to add to that is having a positive impact from what I’ve seen."

First Light opens tomorrow, Saturday, at the former M&S store and is available to view for free until July 4