Hastings Contemporary's inaugural open exhibition 'Odyssey' showcases 151 Sussex artists amid funding controversy
Hastings Contemporary has introduced its inaugural biennial open exhibition, titled 'Odyssey,' showcasing 151 artists chosen from more than 2,500 submissions from Sussex. This exhibition is scheduled to take place from 28 March to 31 May 2026. The £15 fee for submissions generated around £40,000, leading to some controversy and dissatisfaction among artists, prompting a few to create alternative exhibitions. Featured pieces include Geraldine Swayne's 'To BorraBorra as Huppert as Earhart,' Leah Germann's 'The Sirens are Bored Now,' and Alison Boult's 'Sea Woman.' Drawing inspiration from Homer's epic poem, the theme invites diverse interpretations, although some links remained ambiguous. Under the guidance of new director Kathleen Soriano, the gallery aims to rejuvenate the local art community and initiate discussions regarding submission fees.
Key facts
- Hastings Contemporary's first biennial open exhibition 'Odyssey' runs from 28 March to 31 May 2026
- 151 artists were selected from over 2,500 submissions, each with a £15 fee raising approximately £40,000
- The gallery has previously exhibited works by Sime, Soutine, Pasmore, Kossoff, and patron Quentin Blake
- Notable works include Geraldine Swayne's 'To BorraBorra as Huppert as Earhart' and Leah Germann's 'The Sirens are Bored Now'
- Other featured artists include Alison Boult, Kevin Dean, Tom Banks, Samantha Guertin, Vlad Cohen, and Tabatha Andrews
- Some excluded artists organized alternative exhibitions due to disappointment with the selection process
- The exhibition theme references Homer's Odyssey, with focus on the local coastal region and fishing community
- New director Kathleen Soriano may lead a new phase for the gallery in supporting Sussex artists
Entities
Artists
- Jude Montague
- Sime
- Soutine
- Pasmore
- Kossoff
- Quentin Blake
- Geraldine Swayne
- Leah Germann
- Tom Banks
- Alison Boult
- Kevin Dean
- Samantha Guertin
- Vlad Cohen
- Tabatha Andrews
- Kathleen Soriano
Institutions
- Hastings Contemporary
- Royal Academy
- Artlyst
Locations
- Hastings
- Sussex
- United Kingdom
- Dungeness B
Sources
- Artlyst —