Gallery in former fruit market boosts artists’ quarter hopes

But now efforts to turn the former fruit market in Humber Street in the city into an artists’ quarter have taken another step forward with the opening of a new gallery.

Kingston Art Group, which has been providing studio space for artists for 22 years, is celebrating the opening of its gallery and studios at 26-27 Humber Street with an exhibition by city-based artist Chris Kemp.

Mr Kemp is displaying almost 40 examples of his work, ranging from bright splashes of colour to intricate, emblem-laced pencil drawings.

He began studying art at Hull College in 1996, and holds a first-class honours degree in fine art from Northumbria University and a masters degree from Chelsea College, London.

The work is challenging, and one that stands out, entitled I will never fill your lack, is like a scratchier version of work by Cy Twombly, the American artist who died last week.

The picture features gestural brush marks, love heart motifs and pencilled phrases. Mr Kemp said: “It’s that void you always feel, that want for something else. In my early days it would be alcohol and drugs, now it might be TV or art.”

The fruit traders moved out in 2009, ending a 200-year association with Humber Street.