Class of 2020

An unusual art exhibition telling the story of 2020 through the eyes of some 160 artists and creative members of the public from an open call for creative work. The 270 submissions from the UK and worldwide have been curated by London artist Rod Kitson, as part of an ongoing art project. It's the second such exhibition held this year that he has organised ("The Art of Isolation" showed works made during the first lockdown).

The new show takes place in the same space, where he works with the local community on art projects, in a repurposed shop in the upper floor of Surrey Quays Shopping Centre. The selection criterion for the entries was only that the work had to have been made during this calendar year.

The shop is filled with drawings, paintings, photographs, sculpture in a riot of colour and textures. Works that are for sale range in price from £3 ("Popcorn Art") for unframed portraits by London-based Italian artist Sylvia Difino drawn from sittings that took place on Zoom, to £1,400 for Andrea Santi's "Self Portrait during lockdown," portraying her mental health. There is much for sale within reach of shoppers' budgets.

Browse the catalogue (see website). The pages show a random selection of 10 works, just click 'load more' to scroll down, or search for an artist's name.

The show runs until December 23, from 10am to 6pm daily (5pm, Sundays, and 12 to 7pm on Thursdays).