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Northumberland artist gets big break at the Baltic

A Gateshead College lecturer has been given the chance to showcase her artistic talents on the international stage.

Sarah Latheron, an art lecturer at the college, is hosting her very own exhibition, Force, at the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art until 30th March.

It’s a major triumph for the 28-year-old Northumberland woman, who got the opportunity after wowing judges to win the annual BALTIC Artist Teacher Award 2013/14 for her enterprising work in her post-graduate studies.

During her MA in Fine Art and Education, which she completed at Northumbria University, she specialised in the creation of eye-catching sculptures which explore disruptive influences on everyday images, objects and scenarios. The MA was run by the university in partnership with BALTIC.

Sarah, from Widdrington near Morpeth, said: “œI’€™m thrilled to have been given an opportunity to create my own exhibition at such a world-class, internationally renowned venue. My art resonates from something that may be deemed inconsequential to others. The drawings develop from a mark, an imperfection or perhaps a crack in the floor. The sculptures are small, subtle interventions in response to the architectural space.

“Not many people would get this chance of a lifetime and I’d like to thank all of my MA course tutors who made this possible. The MA has really helped me in my day job by giving me the knowledge to enhance the learning of students at Gateshead College.

“I’€™d like to help them to showcase their work and forge a career in the creative industries.”

Sarah, who lives in Sunderland, joined the college in 2008 and is now A Level curriculum leader of art, design and media. Her students have benefited from her expertise, with some of them selected to showcase their work at an exhibition at the BALTIC in 2012.

Judith Doyle, principal at Gateshead College, said: “€œWe’€™re very proud of Sarah’s achievement; she is a great example of the fantastic, highly skilled team we have at the college, who have relevant and up-to-date industry knowledge and experience in their chosen field.”

BALTIC director Godfrey Worsdale, who nominated Sarah for the Artist Teacher Award, said: “Sarah’€™s work is immediately compelling even though the work continues to reveal itself as more time is invested in it. The way in which the drawn and sculptural interventions derive so much from their environment as they are brought into being demonstrates a powerful subtlety through an understated but exacting craftsmanship. It’€™s great to see how Sarah’s work has occupied the space here at BALTIC.”

On Friday 7th February Sarah is hosting a private viewing of Force for friends, family and Gateshead College students. On every other day until 30th March, members of the public can visit the exhibition for free. For further information on Gateshead College courses, visit www.gateshead.ac.uk or call 0191 490 2246.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Jez Davison .