Shape Arts’ 2018 Shape Open, this year titled “Collective Influence”, is a group exhibition of artwork created by both disabled and non-disabled artists in response to provocations such as: what influences you? How does influence go further than inspiration? What power does influence have to provoke change, and what capacity does it have to affect society?

Showcasing work across a wide range of art forms by some of the UK’s most compelling emerging artists, and supported by Patron Yinka Shonibare MBE, Collective Influence investigates the interwoven influences of art, disability and the power of a collective voice. Questioning how the “collective” has the power to evoke and influence change, this exhibition is an examination of the role art plays in activating social developments, and vice versa.

This year’s exhibiting artists are: Aidan Moesby, Alice Rose Floyd, Amy Hutchings, Anahita Harding, Arjun Harrison-Mann, Arushee Suri, Ashokkumar Mistry, Attia Rashid, Brendan O’Neill, DYSPLA, Eleanor Johnson, Elinor Clare Rowlands, Ellie Collins, Esmeralda Kosmatopoulos, Fae Kilburn, Grace Leigh Igoe, Helen Jones, Jack Haslam, Justin Levesque, Justin Piccirilli, Ker Wallwork, Mary Rouncefield, MH Sarkis, Mohammad Barrangi Fashtami, Nina Thomas, Oaklee Thiele, Rah Petherbridge, Ray Kathryn Radnell, Sally Booth, Sarah Carpenter, Signkid, Steph Harrison, and Susan Elaine Jones.

A winning artist, selected by a small panel including Shape Open Patron Yinka Shonibare MBE, will be awarded £1,000 at the Private View; a second artist will receive the People’s Choice Award of £250, as voted for by attendees of the Open throughout its duration.

All are welcome to attend the Private View from 6.30 to 8.30pm, on Thursday 22 March.