On Friday, 12th July, The Turnpike Gallery hosted the launch of their new exhibition, the Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize. Running from 13th July to 14th September, this prestigious open exhibition is dedicated to drawing in the UK. Known previously as the Jerwood Drawing Prize until 2017, the exhibition was first shown at The Turnpike Gallery that same year.

For the 2023 open call, the exhibition received over 3,000 submissions from 1,450 artists across more than 40 countries. The awards were judged by Laura Hoptman, Executive Director of The Drawing Center in New York; Dennis Scholl AM, collector and art patron; and Barbara Walker MBE RA, an artist, Turner Prize nominee, and recent winner.

Upon entering the gallery, I found it bustling with local artists, creatives, and art enthusiasts like myself. Although I knew the exhibition focused on contemporary drawing, I was blown away by the sheer volume of art on display—102 pieces in total. It was a lot to explore! The staff provided a variety of refreshments, including coffee, tea, wine, beer, squash, and snacks, which greatly enhanced the overall experience and allowed visitors to enjoy the art at a leisurely pace.

When it comes to art, I’m no critic and sometimes find it off-putting to explain my ideas due to preconceived notions about art. However, one thing I truly appreciate about the gallery—both as a visitor and a volunteer—is that it creates a warm and accessible environment for everyone to explore and interact with art.

Water Series 1 (2023) by Brigitte Bailey is a striking drawing that employs mixed media techniques, including graphite and graphite powder. The movement of the marks in the piece seems intentionally designed to mimic the flow of water. Whether Bailey drew inspiration from a stream, river, or ocean, the influence of water is evident. The drawing is expansive, covering the page with a sense of freedom that evokes the experience of being near a flowing stream, hearing its gentle movement. The abstract nature of the work invites various interpretations, potentially exploring our emotional connections to nature. Each viewing offers me a sense of tranquility and calmness.

Dinner Party by Caroline Wong is an expressive and vibrant drawing featuring three women enjoying food at a lively dinner party, along with a playful cat. Challenging traditional expectations of East Asian women, Wong uses dynamic strokes, bold colours, and food to explore themes of female joy and pleasure. The drawing transforms the canvas into a chaotic yet delightful scene of indulgence. Each section is teeming with activity, and I find that each viewing reveals new details, offering a sense of freedom and discovery.

A Cailín Gealgháireach by Emily McGardle is a sarcastic drawing that critiques societal expectations of women’s behaviour. Combining humour and irony, McGardle presents a mock blueprint for being “The Smiling Girl.” Using pen, ink, and coloured pencil on vellum paper, the piece meticulously outlines how to embody this idealised figure. I find the humour in this piece especially resonant as a woman, as it highlights society’s demand for women to suppress their emotions and maintain a constant smile. The drawing’s exaggerated depiction serves as a bold, almost rebellious response to patriarchal norms.

If you get the chance, I highly recommend checking out this exhibition. With 102 drawings to love and explore, the pieces I’ve shared are just a few of my favourites—there are so many more! On the launch night, I even joked with the gallery staff about how there were too many incredible works to write about. The exhibition runs until September 14th, so make sure to visit. I’ll leave the gallery’s social media pages and contact details below.

• Website: Turnpike Gallery
• Facebook: Turnpike Gallery on Facebook
• X: @theturnpikegal
• Instagram: @theturnpikegallery

Feel free to visit these pages for more information and updates about the exhibition!