Rough Terrain Exhibition Opening

How do we map our terrain? 

Where are the boundaries and edges? 

What happens where things overlap? 

 

Rough Terrain is an exhibition of artists working in, on, and about Cumbria. Not only the bucolic Cumbria, but its edgelands – places where natural, social and built environments merge. 

 

This exhibition brings together ten artists with roots across the county, who take inspiration from the diverse materials, people and industries which underpin Cumbria’s identity. Building on environmentalist Marion Shoard’s 2002 definition of edgelands as spaces grown between the rural and urban which become “a different kind of landscape altogether”, Rough Terrain celebrates all things in-between: muddy contradictions and complex experiences; landscapes that are in a state of flux. 

 

This exhibition celebrates these edgeland, interfacial, and ‘rough’ spaces as an endless “source of fascination”. Works span sculpture, film, photography, drawing and installation, evading both a singular definition of place and single artistic medium. Here, Cumbria is all at once a nuclear wasteland, a pastoral tea towel, a skatepark, and a site of queer reflection. Welcome to REAL Cumbria.

 

Delivered by Art Gene as a contribution to Cumbria Arts and Culture Network’s See It To Be It project, Rough Terrain aims to uplift and promote Cumbrian artists and curators, demonstrating that artists are and should be a keystone in Cumbrian life and culture. It calls on young and aspiring artists in and from Cumbria to play a part in our rich artist ecology. In a county often sidelined in the national arts scene, Rough Terrain places our edgelands centre stage.

 

Featured artists:

Alistair Debling / Anna Clough / Lydia Moraitis / Juliet Klotrupp / Jocelyn McGregor

Iona Ford / Conor (CJ) Pitcher / Marisa Crane / Jamie Bradley / Julia Parks

 

Join Art Gene for the opening celebration of Rough Terrain, an exhibition in the Art Gene Gallery, Barrow-in-Furness.

Art Gene Gallery

Nan Tait Centre

Friday 12th June 2026, 6.30pm – 9.00pm, 2026

This is a free event; light refreshments will be served

Find the full venue address below

And come along the following day for:

 

Navigating Practice: Artist Talks & Conversation

Art Gene Gallery

Nan Tait Centre

Saturday 13th June 2026, 11:00am – 2.00pm, 2026

This is a free event with refreshments, ending with an optional soup lunch from 2pm

All are welcome, booking is essential

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/art-gene-33040885449

 

What to expect

For both events, guests are asked to use the Abbey Road entrance to the Nan Tait Centre, or if level access is required, the door from the carpark; they will be directed to the first floor landing via a lift or the stairs.

Exhibition opening on Friday 12th June

Doors to the exhibition will open at 6.30pm. Light refreshments and drinks will be served on the landing on arrival, ahead of short speeches in the gallery from 7.00pm.

Navigating Practice: Artist Talks & Conversation on 13th June

On arrival at 11.00am delegates will be greeted with drinks and light snacks. The event will begin amongst the works in the Main Gallery – delegates will be asked to stand and walk, unless chairs are required, and later move down to the floor below for discussion in our Mezzanine Gallery. 

 

Organised alongside the exhibition, this event will spotlight the exhibiting artists. Artists’ talks of around 15 minutes each will be given by Rough Terrain exhibiting artists Jamie Bradley, Marisa Crane, Iona Ford, Lydia Moraitis and Conor (CJ) Pitcher. The event will end with a panel discussion, focusing on artist residency formats, and how artists can work successfully with local communities. This panel will include exhibiting artists Anna Clough and Alistair Debling alongside Art Gene Founder/Director Maddi Nicholson, chaired by Art Gene’s curatorial staff.

Cumbria Arts and Culture Network will wrap up the event by introducing its See It To Be It project, and the work they do with Cumbrian institutions to support young creative practitioners. There will be an opportunity to ask questions. This panel discussion will last approximately 30 minutes.

 

Once the talks conclude, participants will be welcome to stay, revisit the exhibition and talk to the artists and other participants. A free soup lunch, provided by Art Gene, will be served at 2.00pm. The exhibition will close at 4.00pm. 

 

Exhibition continues:

Tuesday 16th June – Friday 26th June 2026 

Noon – 4.00pm, closed Sundays and Mondays

And then open by appointment until: 3rd July 2026

Visits from school and community groups are welcomed and encouraged. They can contact us on enquiries@art-gene.co.uk

Address

Art Gene Gallery

Nan Tait Centre

Abbey Road

Barrow-in-Furness

Cumbria LA14 5TY