2024 has been a year of transformation for me, and one of the biggest changes has been my growing need to immerse myself in art—viewing it, experiencing it, and just surrounding myself with it. Before the pandemic, I’d planned a trip to London to visit the National Portrait Gallery, a place I’d always wanted to explore but somehow never found the time for. Life has a way of getting in the way, doesn’t it?
But as the saying goes, every journey begins with a single step. For me, that step was finally visiting the Cooper Gallery in Barnsley. It wasn’t London, but it was a start, and what a start it turned out to be.
Like most people, I know what I like when it comes to art. But one thing became crystal clear to me during that visit: you can’t fully appreciate artwork until you see it “in the flesh.” Viewing it in person brings a whole new dimension that no digital image can capture.
There was one piece in particular that stopped me in my tracks, The Bridge by John Atkinson Grimshaw. I hadn’t seen any of his work before, but seeing this one piece of artwork in person was a transformative experience. The way the layers of oil paint interacted with the gallery’s lighting was mesmerising. The rustic hues seemed to vibrate with life, as though the scene itself was breathing.
No photograph or screen could replicate the depth and texture of those brushstrokes. The play of light across the painting added a dynamic quality, making the woodland scene feel almost alive. It wasn’t just a landscape; it was an experience.
This visit reminded me of the power of viewing art in person, of taking the time to step away from the digital and truly connect with something physical, tangible, and deeply human. It’s a lesson I’ll carry forward as I plan more gallery visits in the months ahead.
If you haven’t yet seen Grimshaw’s work in person, I’d highly recommend it. And if there’s a gallery or exhibition you’ve been meaning to visit, take that first step, you might just find it shifts your perspective too.
Let me know if you’ve had a similar experience or if there’s a piece of art that’s had this kind of impact on you. I’d love to hear about it!
