Sir Antony Gormley has launched what is being called 'largest-ever art exhibition' - a national art exhibition to be created by the general public, who are invited to display their work in their windows or gardens for others to enjoy. It is hoped the idea will follow on from the massive display of rainbows in people's windows in the first lockdown in Britain.

Anyone can get involved to make drawings, paintings, sculptures or other works that follow the theme, and display the results in front windows, on doors, balconies or in gardens.  

Every two weeks, a different artist will chose a subject for the public to respond to. Sir Antony has chosen 'Animals' for the first theme. The next theme, chosen by Sonia Boyce, will be portraiture. Other artists taking part include the Turner Prize-winners Anish Kapoor and Jeremy Deller, and the Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, who currently lives in Cambridge.

You can sign up with the arts organisation FirstSite  for your free downloadable pack, which provides more information.

How to take part

1: Make

Your artwork can be made through any medium - for example: painting, sculpture, drawing, video, performance, photography or collage.

You can work on your own, as a household, or collaborate 'virtually' with friends, work colleagues, team members, your street ... Your choice: anything goes.

2: Show

Display your artwork. This could be on the inside of your window facing out, inside your home to be photographed for social media, or in your garden or outdoor space where it can be seen by other people.

3: Share

Take a photograph of your artwork and share with FirstSite on social media. If you are under the age of 13 and don't have a social media account, ask your parent or guardian to share for you. Use the hashtag #thegreatbigartexhibition2021 and tag using the handle @firstsite (or @firstsitecolchester on instagram).

You can also follow FirstSite on their social media channels to keep up with the project. The Great Big Art Exhibition will run until April.  

 Instagram  |  Facebook |  Twitter 

Visit The Great Big Art Exhibition Gallery online.

#thegreatbigartexhibition2021