A NEW exhibition is exploring the stories of Cumbrians during the pandemic, featuring a famous tapestry from an acclaimed artist and TV personality.

Class, Covid and Cumbria at Blackwell – the Arts & Crafts house, Bowness, reflects on the past two years through works submitted by well-known Cumbrian artists and photographers, as well pieces created through the Lakeland Arts MEND project.

Also on display is a tapestry created by Turner Prize winning artist Grayson Perry in 2012 ‘The Annunciation of the Virgin Deal’- part of a series of six tapestries entitled The Vanity of Small Differences which explores the themes of class identity and social-mobility.

Alongside the tapestry are images by award-winning photographer Juliet Klottrup, work from Cumbrian photographer Joseph Hardman (1893-1972) whose vast portfolio documents Cumbrian life in the mid-20th century, and Carlisle-based mixed media artist Rosie Galloway-Smith.

MEND is a community project created in response to the pandemic and has worked with local community organisations and groups to produce artwork including, Lighthouse Community Mental Health Hub and Springfield Domestic Abuse Support.

The exhibition opened to the public today after a series of private viewings and will run until February 27.