Andy Martin is well known in the city for seeing the beauty in scenes many of us pass by without thought, such as his series of images of derelict buildings and echoes of the industrial past in Sunderland.
Now, he’s won the Northumberland Open Exhibition 2026, which has just opened at Woodhorn Museum, Ashington.
He won the overall submission for The Circus and the Graveyard, Peterlee (2024).
The striking image depicts gravestones in a Peterlee graveyard at night, contrasted with the vivid lights of a circus taking place in the adjacent field.
Narbi Price, a painter, curator, lecturer and selection panel member, described the winning work:“Andy Martin's winning photograph has a brilliant combination of factors.
“Not only is it excellently executed technically and formally, but the intense colours and harmonious composition draw us into the coal-black humour of the jarring juxtaposition.”
1. The Circus and the Graveyard
Andy's winning submission, The Circus and the Graveyard, which is now on show as part of Northumberland Open Exhibition 2026, which has just opened at Woodhorn Museum, Ashington. | Andy Martin
2. Honoured
Andy Martin said: “I'm absolutely delighted to be chosen as winner of the Northumberland Open Exhibition. I know from previous years the number and standard of entries is always remarkably high, and it’s a real testament to the immense creative skill and talent we have here in the North East. I'm very honoured to have my work on the walls alongside the work of so many respected artists, and it's made even more special by the fact it's held at a venue as outstanding as Woodhorn.” | Colin Davison Photography
3. Joseph Wilson, Up the Dancers
Four additional artists were highly commended this year: Clare Money for Scarred Earth, Annie Kennerley for A Seat Left Warm, Katherine Rousselange for This Green and Pleasant Land, and Joseph Wilson for a photograph from his series Up the Dancers, pictured. | Colin Davison Photography
4. Honouring the past
Located in what was once the largest pit village in the world, Woodhorn Museum now welcomes thousands of people each year, telling the story of what daily life was really like for Northumberland’s mining communities. The museum features an impressive banner collection, chronicles the life of the Ashington coal mining community and showcases the iconic Ashington Group Collection of artworks featuring life above and below ground for Northumberland miners. It also hosts a programme of temporary exhibitions throughout the year. | Colin Davison Photography