A YOUNG North-East artist returns to the region for her first solo show.

Ellie Brennan is putting on an exhibition called Fingers, Thumbs and the Spaces Inbetween at Eston Arts Centre, Middlesbrough, which shows a range of different objects, with a number of new works that have been made during lockdown.

The title of the exhibition alludes to how all the things that she makes are designed to be touched and played with. There will be some crochet toys and assorted rugs in the exhibition, a parmo rug, a can of Stella Artois in a pond of algae, and a Sims rug.

Ellie Brennan grew up between Stokesley and Stockton-on-Tees. She studied at CCAD (now the Northern School of Art) and received a BA Fine Art from Manchester School of Art in 2019.

Her work is a deeply personal exploration of memories and nostalgia, and helps provide a therapeutic environment in these stressful times. It is designed to break the 'look but don't touch' rule of many galleries, and she invites guests to interact freely with her pieces and create their own tactile experiences.

She utilises a range of techniques, from traditional crochet, to industrial rug tufting, but always aims to create work that is accessible to everyone, and doesn't shroud itself in complex art theory.

Ellie Brennan said: “Food and popular culture are two of my biggest starting points, with a lot of my inspiration coming from years working in hospitality, growing up in the North-East, and coming of age in the time of the internet meme culture."

“I hope the show will spark some interesting conversations about the North East, the food, the people , and how we have all been affected by the state of the world at the moment."

The exhibition is on until October 31 at the centre, which is open Thursday to Friday, 10am to 4pm, and Saturday, 10am to 1pm.