The word is out on text painting

Entries will be displayed alongside commissioned works by acclaimed British artist and previous Turner Prize nominee, Mark Titchner, at Wigan’s S.T.E.A.M, a once disused shop which has been transformed into a new creative learning space for young people.

The exhibition is from June 10 until July 15.

The competition has been launched by Networked Narrative, an exciting arts partnershipformed between Inspiring healthy lifestyles in Wigan and FACT (Foundation for Arts and Creative Technology) in Liverpool, which offers young people the chance to work closely with renowned artists and have a say over the art displayed in public community spaces.

The partnership aims to encourage youngsters, aged 13-25, from all backgrounds to get involved and to help reach a more diverse audience who might think that “art” is not relevant in their own everyday lives.

Mark has spent time with a group of young people aged between 12 and 17 living in Wigan to creatively explore the question: “What is it that you want more than anything else?”

Titchner’s new artworks will consist of flags, screensavers, murals, videos and large text-basedoutdoor banners, for which the artist is renowned.

The text painting competition, opens-up the question “What is it that you want more than anything else?” to those aged 25 and under living across the Wigan borough, giving them an opportunity to express their own ideas and see their work displayed alongside the renowned artist.

Entries will be judged by Titchner; Wigan Observer Editor, Janet Wilson; Sean Aidley of Fleet Dynamic, sponsors of the artworks in Wigan and Leigh, and a representative from Wigan Council.

Mark said: “We wanted to open up the wider project to a younger audience, whose views on the world and their own communities are rarely heard, especially by the established art world.”

The winner will be presented with a framed certificate signed by Mark Titchner and a £50 Hobby Craft gift card and a £20 gift voucher for themselves.

Two runner-ups will also be presented with signed certificates, a £10 gift voucher and invited to the public launch event.

The deadline for entries is June 10 before 3pm.

For more details on how to enter, contact Helen Seddon, Inspiring healthy lifestyles on 01942 488 496 or email [email protected] or visit fact.co.uk/networkednarrative.