“Empowering” art exhibition opens

One of the portraits in the exhibition at Barnsley Civic

AN “empowering “ and “stunning” exhibition has opened at Barnsley Civic.

‘I’m Sorry’ by Annabel McCourt is inspired by the artist’s personal experience of loss and explores how the act of saying sorry can be a powerful and healing tool for taking accountability, and for forgiveness.

The Grimsby-based artist works in photography, film, sculpture, and installation and is often influenced by fact, folklore, and legend.

'I’m Sorry' presents a series of photographic portraits of a person offering their own private apology to the camera, holding a bespoke ‘I’m Sorry’ neon, , written in the artist’s handwriting.

Artist Annabel said: “This project has taken me back to my artistic roots, camera in hand, actually going to meet people and looking into their eyes.

“There’s something utterly captivating about holding the bespoke clear glass ‘I’m Sorry’ – fashioned out of my handwritten apology.”

She added: “For me, it’s about not getting the chance to say goodbye to my dad before he died.”

Elizabeth Dickinson, curator at Barnsley Civic, said: “We’re excited to hold space for this empowering and transformative project at Barnsley Civic.

“It’s important to us to be able to support artists in actualising projects that mean a lot to them, so “I’m humbled that Annabel has trusted our venue to go on such a personal and vulnerable journey with her.

“I can’t wait for people to experience this visually stunning exhibition and hopefully go on a healing journey of their own.”

The ‘I’m Sorry’ exhibition runs until Saturday, January 20 2024.