A new exhibition has opened at Beverley Art Gallery looks beyond the familiar, picture-perfect image of England to explore the real character of the north. East Riding Council’s newest exhibition is a love letter to the north of England by artist Ian Scott Massie.
Shaped by a journey that began nearly 50 years ago, the pieces on display delve into both the honest and the complex. Through watercolours and prints, the artist explores landscapes, towns and communities, capturing the beauty of the countryside as well as the marks left by industry.
Alongside scenes of farming life and proud mill towns are quieter stories of isolation, change and decline. Beverley and the East Riding appear as a small but powerful reflection of the wider north, shaped by history, faith and working life, from shipbuilding, coal mining and milling to the area’s gradual post-industrial change.
Councillor Nick Coultish, cabinet member for culture, leisure and tourism at East Riding Council, said: ‘’We are proud to share the opening of Northern Soul at Beverley Art Gallery. This exhibition is a wonderful display of the north’s rich history as well as the diverse landscape which shapes the area.”
Hannah Willetts, curator at Beverley Art Gallery, said: “It has been a pleasure working with Ian Scott Massie and discovering his research and explorations, particularly across Beverley and the East Riding. This is a truly vibrant and uplifting start to Beverley Art Gallery’s 2026 programme.’’
Northern Soul runs until Saturday, March 14; it is free to visit and all artworks are for sale. Beverley Art Gallery is located within the Champney Treasure House, Beverley.
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