- Play Hard
- 25th Apr 2025
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Discover Baltic’s unmissable spring season: New exhibitions, pop-up shopping and good vibes
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The Spring 2025 season has officially launched at Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art – and it’s one of the most vibrant yet.
With two major exhibitions now open across its largest galleries, a new pop-up shop on the ground floor, and various dining options, there’s never been a better time to plan a cultural day out on the Quayside.
This year also marks a milestone moment for the gallery, as Baltic recently welcomed its ten millionth visitor – a powerful testament to its place at the heart of the region’s creative landscape.
Twin vision: Remember, Somewhere…
Northumbria University Gallery, Level 3
One of the headline exhibitions this season is Remember, Somewhere… a powerful and personal joint show by Laura Lancaster and Rachel Lancaster – Hartlepool-born twin sisters and painters whose work has been exhibited nationally and internationally. The first exhibition they’ve joined forces on, Remember, Somewhere… showcases their unique but complementary painting styles side-by-side, all created in their shared Ouseburn studio.
Both Laura Lancaster and Rachel Lancaster take inspiration from ordinary moments in time, captured in cine film, photographs or the slides of strangers, creating emotive, beautiful works that transport visitors to the exhibition into the memory.
Two exclusive artworks from the exhibition are also available to buy via the Baltic Shop, offering collectors a rare opportunity to take home a piece of the exhibition. For those who want to invest in limited edition artwork but want to spread the cost, pieces can be bought through the Own Art Scheme. Email [email protected] to arrange.
Ali Cherri: How I Am Monument
Level 4 Gallery
Also open now is How I Am Monument by Ali Cherri, recently named The Guardian‘s ‘Exhibition of the Week.’ Known for creating contemporary monuments that draw from the archaeology and shifting political landscapes of the Middle East, Cherri brings a visually rich, thought-provoking body of work to the Baltic.
Born in Beirut, a year into the Lebanese Civil War, Cherri examines violence against bodies, objects and nature in regions of conflict, reflecting on the processes through which historical and cultural narratives are shaped.
The exhibition interrogates the ways in which political violence is witnessed and disseminated into people’s bodies and how it scars the physical and cultural landscape. Expect sculpture, installation, and film works that interrogate power, identity, and what it means to be seen – as a person and a place.
The Guardian has just awarded it a five-star review, describing it as “richly fascinating… asking pointed questions about how value is assigned to artworks.” One not to miss.
Shop in colour: Andy Welland pop-up
On the ground floor, local artist Andy Welland has brought his bold, graphic aesthetic to life in an exciting new pop-up shop.
Recognisable for his recent Newcastle Quayside street mural, Andy will showcase a range of exclusive products at Baltic, centred around the idea of creation through play.
Through giant Plasticine reliefs, lipstick-thick oil finger paintings, and energetic prints, his vibrant work reflects a joyful spontaneity that embraces both individuality and togetherness. His art invites us to slow down, consider detail, and reconnect with the beauty of creative expression in human uniqueness against today’s world of fast-paced image consumption.
Products can be bought online or in-store from Baltic Shop, and artwork over £100 can be purchased through the Own Art Scheme (email Baltic Shop to arrange).
Come for the art, stay for the vibes
- Open Wednesday – Sunday, 10.00am – 6.00pm
- Admission is free to all exhibitions
Refuel at Baltic Kitchen, which serves seasonal bites, fresh cakes and locally roasted coffee with views of the River Tyne. Or, for something extra special, head to SIX on the rooftop – a stylish restaurant and bar offering modern British cuisine, signature cocktails, and one of the best panoramic views of the River Tyne.
Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead Quays, South Shore Road, Gateshead, NE8 3BA
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