Stoke-on-Trent exhibition joins global art trail

From a Spanish school to a Bangladeshi tower block, a global trail is bringing artworks to everyday spaces.

As part of the Visual Artists Association’s Global Art Trail, colourist Ruth Breen is displaying her paintings in the BBC Radio Stoke offices.

She has already exhibited outside Biddulph Town Hall and at the Youth & Community Zone.

“Not everybody can get to an art museum,” she said, “It also means I get my art to people who wouldn’t always see it – so it’s a win-win.”

Breen started painting during lockdown, as a “reaction to everything that was happening” and inspired by the nature she saw on walks.

Five years on, she is longlisted for the Visual Artists Association’s artist of the year, by taking part in the worldwide trail.

She said members of the public had been really encouraging outside Biddulph Town hall earlier this month.

“They were coming over and just asking, ‘What’s going on?'” she said.

“I can’t believe how supportive they’ve been.”

But making art accessible became truly personal when Mrs Breen took her work, and others painted by her late sister, into her mother’s care home.

“My [91-year-old] mum was just talking about the art and remembering my sister and I as children,” she said.

“That’s what it’s all about, isn’t it? Bringing that art to people who perhaps can’t get out or get to an art gallery?”

At her recent exhibition at Biddulph Youth & Community Zone, visitors at the community cafe said it was a great initiative.

“It brings everybody together doesn’t it,” said one visitor.

“I’m not much into art, but I can appreciate it. I wish I could paint and stuff like that, I really do.”

The exhibition also gave more experienced artists, like Lucy Collier, the impetus to dig out their old paint brushes.

“It would influence me to start up again,” she smiled, “I love art and always have and did it at uni.”

Breen hopes to inspire more budding artists by displaying her canvases in the BBC Radio Stoke studio in Hanley, on 30 October between 10:00 and 12:00 BST.