Proseed Collective’s defining moment at 60th Venice Biennale

Working under the banner of Proseed Collective, 30 pieces of artwork from Cumbrians were on display at the highly esteemed 60th anniversary of the Venice Biennale, an event which draws in huge-named artists including Yoko Ono. 

Carlisle-based artist, Daniel Ibbotson, was invited once more to present his work after hosting his own exhibition in 2022 at the festival in Venice.

However this time, he delivered a slice of Cumbria to Italy. 

Up close with the artwork at Venice Biennale (Image: Daniel Ibbotson)

“It was just fantastic, some artists were in tears with the emotion of the event,” Daniel said. 

“It was really beautiful seeing people maybe 60 or 70s years old so moved by it all in such a positive way. Job done,” Daniel said. 

It wasn’t just seasoned professionals who had their works featured, but also emerging artists from the University of Cumbria.

Recent graduates from the University of Cumbria Molly Hughes and Sophie Steadman had their work displayed. (Image: Daniel Ibbotson)

“Everyone was buzzing and I think they still are – it’s possibly the biggest event celebrating Cumbrian artists,” Daniel said. 

Furthermore, there are plans to present their Venice piece at local museums such as Tullie House and Rheged once it returns after the exhibition closes later this year. 

Artists will continue to visit their pieces whilst it’s held on the walls of the Palazzo Bembo until November 24. 

The 2024 ‘Olympics of Art’ event marked a huge leap for the collective.

Founded by Daniel Ibbotson in 2020, the Proseed Collective was a response to the COVID pandemic as a vehicle to foster and promote creativity.

Looking ahead, Daniel plans to go on to bring another exhibition to Edinburgh. 

“We’re doing an exhibition in June so that’s the next step and I’ll be using artists who didn’t go to Venice and those that want to be involved.”

Opening night at the Palazzo Bembo (Image: Daniel Ibbotson)

A call was also extended for more artists to join in the collective’s effort.

An Instagram page has been dedicated to the 40 artists who had art adorned on the walls of the Palazzo Bembo. 

You can find out more about each artist by visiting proseed_collective_venice24