BEAST exhibition begins at Florence Arts Centre in Egremont

BEAST reflects on the duality of how we love and appreciate nature but at the same time are continually destroying it, said organisers.

With the help of Arts Council funding, the artists have been offered a commission to work with Sue Mackay, director of Florence Arts, to work collaboratively to develop their installation at Florence Mine, Egremont.

For most of the artists this has been the first paid commission from 17-year-old Charlotte Crook, who studies at Lakes College, to Bob Dixon, who is starting his career in art much later in life.

Artists at the centre (Image: Supplied)

A Florence Arts Centre spokesperson said: "The installation is introduced as you drive on to the site with a giant sculpture of a beast head made from wire and recycled materials looming over the fence - created by Sue Todd and Charlotte.

"Visitors are invited to ‘feed the beast’ - literally - by throwing cans down its throat to promote recycling and highlight the damage our rubbish is doing to the environment.

"Some of the work on display has been co-created by artists and local residents in advance. Nanette Madan (resident artist at Florence) has worked with WI groups and school children to create a river dragon which floats through the gallery space.

"Clare Parker from Low Mill Studios in Egremont worked with Flo’s youth network to create a series of papier mache heads for a piece called ‘Who is the beast? which reflects our own faces back to us as conspirators in the environmental crisis.

Pieces created by the artists (Image: Supplied)

"Other artists are co-creating on-gallery- come and add a doodle beast with Rachel Metcalfe or collage beast with Natalie Burns - or delivering workshops like Ursula Troche or Bob who is encouraging us to ‘draw for fun!’."

More details can be found on the Florence Arts Centre website and social media pages.