In October 2019, reports from the European commission defined York as the UK’s most culturally vibrant city, in response to this, as a Northern hub of creativity, we wanted to offer a platform for young Northern artists to flourish. 

As a student run gallery in the North, we feel it is our responsibility to provide a platform for our contemporaries to display their works in a professional setting. 

When the Norman Rea Gallery first opened in the 70s, our founder was aware that “young artists sometimes struggled to get started, to find a gallery that would be willing to give them space for their own exhibition.” He wrote to us recently, explaining that he “felt that we could offer that chance,” on campus at The Norman Rea Gallery. By exhibiting young artists from the North, we aim to continue what our founder originally intended: an accessible platform for artists to exhibit and a welcoming environment, inviting students of all courses and interests at the University of York and surrounding areas to get involved. 

This exhibition explores the identities of young Northern artists.