HAPPY! at the Hatton
We took a trip to Newcastle for the private view of HAPPY! a major new exhibition at the Hatton Gallery featuring artists from the Jerwood Collection. The exhibition has been co-curated with the gallery’s young people’s group L-INK, whose members aged 16 to 24 work closely with the Hatton team. L-INK focused on how artists develop their practices through various pathways including formal and informal education, as well as personal life experiences.
'The exhibition offered L-INK a unique opportunity to engage with significant works by prominent artists including Gillian Ayers RA (main image), Yinka Ilori, Eva Rothschild, Alan Davie, Alex Clarke, Hannah Bays, and Nicola Bealing.'
The Jerwood Foundation was originally set up as an organisation to help young people in need, with a specific focus on education through humanity. It continues this philanthropic work today, in the promotion of understanding, interpretation, and enjoyment of modern and contemporary art through its collection and supportive projects. Spanning three large rooms, HAPPY! emphasises the importance of arts education by showcasing works by young artists at different stages of their artistic development, alongside those from the Jerwood collection that inspired them. As well as aligning with Jerwood's founding principles, this format pays tribute to artist Victor Pasmore’s experimental 1957 Art Education Exhibition at the Hatton Gallery, in which he presented school children's work alongside established artists.
Artist Hannah Bays wears Tracey Neuls' Arlinda Smoke in front of her painting Jiggery Pokery, acquired by the Jerwood Collection in 2014. She describes the Arlinda boots as perfect for a gallery-hop, as they are so sleek, stylish and comfortable.
'HAPPY!' is now open at the Hatton Gallery, Newcastle until May 9th 2026, do go and visit should you be in the North East.