Your chance to see original David Bowie artworks in Sunderland - for one night only
David Bowie’s incredible legacy doesn’t just live on in his music.
In a real coup for Sunderland’s newest art gallery, it will show original artworks by the one and only David Bowie.
As part of this Friday’s Sunniside Nights festival, which takes place on May 29, 24NE Gallery in Fawcett Street has been given permission to show original paintings by the legend by the private owner of the works.
As well as showing Bowie’s works, artists from the gallery will be setting up their easels on Fawcett Street to live paint Bowie and Mick Jagger portraits to the tune of their music. There will also be artworks created of the music greats on show inside the gallery.
“This is a massive coup for the gallery,” says gallery curator Ken Devine. “It isn’t very often the general public get to see anything the great man created.
“He’s been an inspiration for generations of people, so we hope to generate quite a bit of interest, not only in showing the paintings, but also in their back stories.
“The owner of the paintings wishes to remain anonymous, and we respect that. We, however, have no desire to remain in the shadows - we want to shout from the rooftops that we have a very special and rare treat for his fans.”
The evening starts at 6pm and finishes at 10pm with live painting throughout the evening and Ken says it should prove a night to remember.
“Why Jagger too, you may ask,” added Ken. “Bowie collaborated with Jagger in 1985 in producing the iconic album ‘Dancing In The Streets’. We may well be dancing in the street too and we’ll definitely be painting in the streets, so it should be quite a spectacle with plenty of atmosphere.
“We also have live acoustic music by the Odd Cowboy.”
The gallery’s new exhibition REFLECT is running in the background to Sunniside Nights, which also features an exhibition by the celebrated Albanian artist Keidi Sejdiu, a member of the 24NE collective.
There’s dozens of venues in Sunniside taking part in Sunniside Nights, which will feature comedy, music, arts, culture and more. Other live paintings on the night include Frank Styles creating a new mural at the back of Pop Recs from 6pm.
The day after Sunniside Nights, on Saturday May 30, 24NE gallery has a free family drop-in art session by the artist Pamela Ormston.
All materials are provided, just drop by and enjoy being creative with the kids.
24NE opened its doors last November and has become a community art hub, showcasing works by local artists, hosting classes, workshops and events.
There is currently a call for all artists in the community to meet at the gallery every Tuesday with examples of their work.
“We are proud to serve the community and look for every opportunity to get involved’, says Ken.