My Place on the Isle: Exploring Faith & Identity in Britain

Inspired by the Olympics and its cultural diversity, GemArts (supported by Newcastle City Council) in partnership with Middlesbrough Council, delivered an international art competition with MICA Creative in London to celebrate diversity and Britain during the Olympic Games. The project aimed to nurture emerging talent by running workshops in deprived areas within the various regions of the UK & Wales, targeting hard to reach communities. 

Participants were made up of practicing artists that, irrespective of their faith, race, gender or ability, may not have had the opportunity to break into mainstream art, which can often appear elitist and inaccessible. All participants took part in a series of free workshops delivered by professional artists and held at two of the North East’s most prestigious contemporary arts venues, BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead and MIMA in Middlesbrough. 

The artists submitted works to a judging panel consisting of representatives from Saatchi Online, Sotheby’s, The British Museum, The Times and MICA Gallery.  Three artists from the North East were shortlisted: Gassan Mohammed for Best British Emerging artist; and Adrian Moule and Shirley Wells for the 'Special Mentions' section. This was an incredible result for Middlesbrough & Newcastle and something that should be congratulated! 

The nominees were invited to an Awards Dinner held at the Saatchi Gallery and the winners’ exhibition was presented in London at MICA Gallery and ran from July to September to coincide with the Olympics.