Of the Sea (9th Nov 2019 - 25th Jan 2020)

In this fascinating exhibition, Yorkshire artist and documentary photographer Karen Turner has realised one of her dreams: to work with and capture the Yorkshire fishing industry. Her yearlong project records the heritage of our local fishing industry in photographic images, sound, and a body of bright, colourful mixed media paintings.

Of the project, Karen says: "I feel very privileged to have been welcomed into the local fishing community and given the opportunity to record today’s fishing industry with my documentary photography. It has been an amazing and exciting journey to combine my two art forms for the first time. I hope that you enjoy my story of the Yorkshire fishermen and their allied industries, who make their living from the North Sea. They are such a valuable and integral part of our coastal heritage and economy."

The exhibition is especially focused on Bridlington, its ambition to bring together the harbour and Old Town.

Karen Turner

Karen Turner is the winner of the East Coast Open 2019 at Scarborough Art Gallery, where her work is now part of the Scarborough Collections.

Karen says: "I have always been drawn to the sea and love to paint it with the fluid, often unpredictable qualities of watercolour and inks on paper. I also enjoy creating using big brushes and the opaque effects of acrylic paint on canvas, capturing marine life in my unique style.

"Exploring with colour and bold mark making, I work in a semi-abstract naive style, capturing the sea, our beautiful Yorkshire coastal villages, boats and harbours."

Karen is also an experienced professional photographer who works with natural light and takes a documentary approach. "I photograph people, that is what I do best," says Karen. "I strive to capture the uniqueness of those around me."