Last summer the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead put out an open-call to all North East artists for the opportunity to feature in an exhibition launching in 2021. Out of the 540 submissions, Newcastle College University Centre student Rosalynd Byass was selected as one of the 150 artists to have her artwork displayed to the public.
Rosalynd, who studies BA (Hons) Fine Art at Newcastle College University Centre, said: “I have daydreamed so much about my art being featured in galleries and I love the BALTIC, so to be featured there is such a huge deal and a dream come true.”
All entries were judged by a panel of three North East artists and a curator at BALTIC, with the final selection showcasing a range of diverse and high-quality pieces. The exhibition celebrates North East artists by showing a variety of media including painting, drawing, print, sculpture, ceramic, installation, video and sound works.
21-year-old Rosalynd, from Jarrow, was inspired by a myriad of artists - which is evident in her final piece.
The Fine Art student continued: “I love to paint precisely and realistically, as I feel that makes the surreal even more surreal. I am an existential person, so you can understand why I love any artist who questions reality.
“The paintings I create are very personal as I am exploring my own personal thoughts and feelings and I love viewers to create their own meanings and why they relate to it before they read about what I intended. The beauty of art is how we all see the word differently. Surrealism is a great inspiration for me.”
The subject of her painting is personal and focuses on her experiences as a gay woman with anxiety. She continues: “Desire is such a natural feeling, it is a sudden and strange feeling and I try to show and explore that in my art. It pervades so much of our lives, yet none of us want to talk about it. No one should feel ashamed about their sexuality or who they are.”
The support Rosalynd receives from her tutors and classmates helped her overcome her worries about submitting her work for consideration.
She said: “My tutors and peers that I work with on this course have slowly taught me to have more confidence and belief in myself. I was very nervous to submit my work, but I knew that it was a good piece and I should not doubt that.”
The BALTIC Open Submission exhibition is currently delayed as BALTIC remains closed under national lockdown restrictions. It is due to go on display in 2021 when they are able to safely welcome visitors back to the gallery.