Michaela Wetherell is dedicated to exploring working-class narratives in the art world. Lee Allcock caught up with Michaela to find out how the Pink-Collar Gallery, and their brand new exhibition, will be supporting working-class artists.
What inspired this new exhibition?
I kept seeing creative jobs and artist residency opportunities encouraging people to apply from diverse communities, which is brilliant as we need all types of voices in the arts. Then it would state “and/or from a working-class background.” How do you “prove” you’re working class? Do you need an accent? Show what your parents do for a living? Coming from a working-class background, I started to think about the importance of working-class narratives in the arts and why it’s a marginalised voice. With this, I started conversations with artists and decided it would be a great topic to explore in an exhibition to see what artists have to say about the lack of working-class people and ideas in the arts.
Why do you believe that it is important to have working-class narratives in the art world?
It’s hugely important to me because as corny as that sounds, I have always believed that art is for everyone. I think the working-class narrative in exhibitions shows the audience that their stories are important too. If you don’t see your identity in art galleries and museums then you think it’s not for you. I’m so happy that the North East is filled with working-class creatives but, overall, it’s lacking; and with the impact of COVID and many having very little financial support all year, I worry that many voices will be lost.
Tell me about the exhibition in general and what art lovers can expect…
The exhibition will be displayed online at Pink-CollarGallery.com and is supported by Arts Council England. This exhibition will showcase five brand new commissioned works from artists from around the north who will explore working-class identity, from performances and conversations to photography and video art. This exhibition will show the talents of selected artists including Kev Howard, Shonagh Short, Erin Dickson, Mark Parham and John James Perangie.
Tell me about Hey Art What’s good and how they’re supporting the exhibition…
Hey Art, What’s Good? is a brilliant podcast hosted by artists Alice Smith and Rosie Stronach. They have been creating podcasts about the North East art scene for a couple of years now. They talk about their visits to galleries and museums, talk to artists, curators and art directors and they do it all to create a positive outlook on how amazing the North East is. They have generously offered to support the exhibition and gallery by promoting and creating new podcasts. Please go and check them out at heyartwhatsgood.com.
What is your overall aim?
My aim for the exhibition is to open up the conversation about the importance of having working-class voices in the arts. I am hoping that this exhibition will be displayed in a physical space in the North East where I can commission other artists, along with my original five, to expand the conversation. Pink-Collar Gallery came out of being stuck in the house due to COVID and wanting to work on my practice plus support artists. Overall, I want to develop a programme of exhibitions that can keep creatives working and putting creativity out there for people to enjoy. My dream for Pink-Collar Gallery will eventually be a physical art gallery in the North East.
For further information, head to Pink-CollarGallery.com from Tuesday 16th March.
