A group of young people from Burnley have shared their hopes and dreams for the future, at the official launch of the exhibition called What I want more than anything else. The exhibition presents bold public artworks created in partnership with Turner Prize nominated British artist, Mark Titchner, Burnley Library and Lancashire County Council.
The project has been masterminded by Titchner and Networked Narrative, an exciting arts partnership formed between Lancashire County Council, Burnley Library 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 spaces across their hometowns.
What I want more than anything else has involved young individuals from across Burnley, working with the internationally renowned artist, to make their thoughts and opinions visible in public spaces. The public artworks are a powerful representation of the voices of eleven young people, aged 16-24. Using their handwritten responses to the question, artworks consist of a large installation, banners, flags, screen-based works and murals exhibited in and around Burnley Library, Burnley College, Burnley Market Hall and Burnley Youth Theatre until 31 January 2018.
The responses from Burnley vary from the deeply personal to everyday wants, including: “I want my family to be happy”, “I want to know unknown things about space, time, conspiracies & world secrets” to “I want to make them better again” and “I want no more restlessness”.
The official launch took place last Saturday 15 July at Burnley Library, and despite the relentless rain, attracted visitors from all over Lancashire. There will be more new artworks appearing in Burnley Market Hall and Burnley College, and a newly commissioned artwork for the Burnley Library, to be unveiled on Thursday 28 September at 12:30pm.
Commenting on the exhibition, Mark Titchner said: “It’s been a privilege working closely with a group of young people from Burnley. Their responses to the question posed were fascinating and varied from the deeply personal, to everyday wants and global concerns”.
“I have created a series of artworks designed to give their unique voices a visible public platform – to prompt discussion, comparison or agreement – with the young people’s disparate and forceful voices at the centre.”