Creatives help to celebrate region’s culture and heritage

A call for creatives to help celebrate our region’s heritage resulted in a wealth of talented submissions to MIMA Great Create.

Developed by MIMA (Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art), in collaboration with Teesside University’s School of Arts & Creative Industries, MIMA Great Create called for creative pieces which represent the heritage, beauty and culture of our region.

A wide range of creative entries were received, including music clips, illustrations, paintings, upholstery designs and photographs, short films, origami sculptures and drawings.

Boro Skyline, a striking illustration created by Jonathan Raiseborough which depicts the familiar Teesside skyline, was chosen as the winning entry by a team of judges from across the creative industries.

Jonathan, 24, a Teesside University BA (Hons) Graphic Design & Illustration graduate from Darlington, said: “My illustration was inspired by the closeness between both the natural and industrial parts of Teesside.

“I went to RSPB Saltholme in 2020 as research for a course module and was struck by the way the reserve exists so close to industry and ports and the juxtaposition of the processing and chemicals plants with the grasses and pools; things you wouldn’t normally associate with each other.

“The idea for my illustration was to build on that with an entry which could hopefully capture that feeling of the mixed heritages that make up our characteristic skyline.”

Jonathan added: “I was really motivated to get involved in Great Create after seeing who all the judges would be from across the creative industries. Taking part seemed like a fantastic opportunity to have my work seen by industry professionals.

“It felt absolutely incredible to have my illustration chosen as the winner. To know that a panel of judges thought that highly of my illustration is so encouraging, it means a lot as a new creative.”

While completing his degree, Jonathan created illustrations for several children’s books and more recently, illustrated forthcoming children’s book Zizu Loses His Stripes.

Jonathan said: “Sales of the book will help to fund childcare for people who would otherwise miss out. It’s been a lovely project to work on. I hope to be able to build on my illustration work with the goal of maybe being able to go full-time in the future.

“Teesside University has played a huge part in giving me confidence in myself as a creative. I have learned so much and it has really encouraged me to consider career goals I wouldn’t have otherwise thought possible. I can’t thank my brilliant tutors enough for their support and inspiration.”

Angela Lawrence, Associate Dean (Marketing & Recruitment), Teesside University’s School of Arts & Creative Industries, said: “We were overwhelmed with a brilliant standard of entries. The judges told us that it was an absolute treat to get to review such creative work. I’d like to thank everyone who entered this year and to watch this space for news of our new competition launch in September.”

Other shortlisted entries included artwork in various forms submitted by Ella Miller, Grace Coverdale and Airen Sopany, along with Jake Beddow, who composed a piece of music. The shortlisted entries featured in a special exhibition which was held at MIMA during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

The judges for MIMA Great Create included film producer Max Howard, Dyson engineer Ben Russi, Viz cartoonist Graham Dury, MIMA artistic director Elinor Morgan, CoCo Comics co-founder James Brady, Berghaus head of brand Dan Cunningham, photographer Verity Adriana and Adobe UK senior marketing manager.

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