Folkestone opens the UK’s first British Punk & Pop Art Exhibition in Folkestone Art Gallery, featuring an “immense” collection by a Kent local.
Susie Warren-Smith of Hythe, Kent, amassed a collection of over 150 pieces of artwork, including signed limited edition and standard prints.
Featured artists include Banksy, Grayson Perry, and Sarah Lucas, as well as album cover artwork by The Smiths, Pink Floyd, and The Cure.
The free exhibition was unveiled on Friday, March 29th, and will remain open until Sunday, April 21st.
Selected pieces are also available for purchase, with many “intentionally” placed at an affordable rate ranging from £25 to upwards of £26,000.
Mrs Warren-Smith said: “I believe art should be accessible for everyone, and I wanted to create an immersive environment for my guests with a collection that tells a story.”
Since its opening, the exhibition has attracted an average of 200 visitors per day and sells 10 to 15 artworks daily.
The exhibition has received an overwhelmingly positive response from guests, local artists, and businesses in Folkestone’s Creative Quarter.
Georgia McGain-Harding, 32, a local artist and owner of Bloom & Whimsy, said: “This exhibition truly speaks to what Folkestone Art Gallery is all about. The gallery is so special for us and never fails to feature diverse collections from various artists.”
“Folkestone’s art scene is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. We pride ourselves on being heavily community-based, and we’re not confined to the constraints other areas across the UK may face,” she added.
Marc Christmas, 57, a local photographer and exhibition visitor, said: “This collection is fantastic, and it almost feels as though you’re falling back in time.”
“I believe locals in Folkestone will find true joy in this collection. While it may be more popular for a certain demographic, there is something here for everyone,” he added.
On Thursday, March 28th, several local representatives were invited to a private viewing of the collection, including Folkestone and Hythe MP Damian Collins, Visit Kent CEO Deirdre Wells OBE, and Ashford Borough Council Arts & Cultural Industries Manager Chris Dixon.
Mr Dixon said: “It’s quite a unique experience to visit a gallery with no entry fee to view such a personal collection of artwork.”
“I think almost anyone who visits this collection will be able to find something they recognise due to how closely linked the artwork is to popular pop punk culture.”
