In May 2022, our Young Critics from Brinsworth Academy’s Writing Club visited Not Without My Ghosts: The Artist As Medium, an exhibition of art inspired by spiritualism and the paranormal at Millennium Gallery. For most of the group, it was their first time at this gallery. Graham from Sheffield Museums gave the Young Critics an intro to the gallery and answered their questions about the kinds of things that happen here. Read on for their responses to the exhibition!

Grace

When I walked into the gallery, all I could see was light pink walls with frames hanging from them. As I inspected the area in more detail, I could see the clear theme of supernatural experiences being presented through art. I was pleasantly surprised with the calm atmosphere that the room held – you expect to see or feel extreme supernatural things, but this wasn’t the case. You only see art linked to the supernatural and I liked that you could truly take in the artwork without the feeling of unease.

In the centre of the room was an abstract textile piece that was interpreted differently by everyone. This brought the room to life and created textures that you would expect to see in a gallery. I enjoyed how supernatural life was presented throughout the room and how different artists expressed their own experiences with other types of consciousness.

While some artworks were intriguing and hypnotising to look at, some were not to my personal liking. They lacked the supernatural element I was looking for and were too simple to be taken seriously. I wanted to see more interactive art installations but the only one I could see was the talking owl.

I wanted to connect more. Some artworks made me feel like some other presence was there while others made no sense to me. But even though I didn’t connect with them, I still felt like the whole gallery was worth it and would recommended you go and explore the different styles of art and the supernatural.

Blanca

The Millennium Gallery was pretty and neat. It was fascinating, but not exactly thrilling. The whole mood was very calm. It was quiet until we walked into the room. Everyone found something that interested them and the experience seemed to entertain everyone.

Some paintings looked busy, almost crowded, unlike the gallery. Some were strange and others were just beautiful. Even the ones that looked a little too simple would still look great if you hung it on a wall at home. There is just no way you would feel upset after looking at any of them, although that might’ve been because of the lovely atmosphere.

Nefeli

Art. Art. Art here. Art there. Art everywhere. Men. Women. People. The room is cold. No, it’s warm. It’s everything. I think I like it. My mind hurts from everything the start of the day brought. There is a TV. And there is art. Art. So much Art.

I see something. I don’t think I like it. I move on. I see something else. It’s intriguing. I stay. I walk around, there is noise, though not the type that makes me cry or dig my nails into the skin of my palm. It is the sound of art, as poetic as it sounds.

We leave, and my mind feels quieter, carried away by whatever drove it. Perhaps it was the paintings. Perhaps it was the cold. It didn’t matter, because it was now gone. It feels quieter, brighter, and yet it’s buzzing with life.

I peer at a painting, and I see souls. Souls that are lost. Souls that are known. Those ridden with colour race to reach the top. To reach the light and the open life. Others have let themselves sink, they have greyed, their bottoms are sucked into the hole at its very bottom. Hades stands and watches, with Thanatos by his side. There are no expressions on their faces, they are covered by strange, swirling clouds.

A single red streak is slashed across another canvas. Why? Why? Why draw like a child? I don’t mean to sound so harsh. There is a child that rests within you. Are you full of grief, or are you full of youth? Perhaps it is both. Perhaps you are enlightened. All you see is a single curled line because you have no more lines to slash. That is not my style, but I see you, I believe so.

Surrealism and spiritualism are interesting topics, and this exhibition was very insightful. I would, however, like to see its dark side. The blocks. The withdrawal. The denial. Everything, everywhere, that makes you laugh and scream. I’d like to see the slash before the streak, the wound before the red paint. The exhibition was truly insightful, planting roots deep enough for our fragile minds to remember as time passes by. If only more people sought out what it offered, because perhaps we all need a bit of it inside, the experience would have been all the more thrilling. Don’t get me wrong – I liked the silence and the lack of children’s shouts, yet art that is considered inferior is just wonderful, and deserving of love and adoration.

Liv

It was shocking. No, I’m being serious, I was giving people electric shocks. A massive owl thingy projected on the wall, that could talk to you. A giant piece of art that was different to all the other artwork. I didn’t feel comfortable because of the vibe the artwork was giving off. Four pieces of art with mysterious figures that looked like aliens. It felt like some of the drawings is artwork that I could produce. Even I could do this artwork!

Star

Ghost.

I think Kat and Miss, they described the wrong thing.

Maybe the prompt “artists trying to connect to another realm” was right?

What was your favourite art piece?

My favourite piece was the owl. The owl reminded me of a lot of things:

– Not being in control

– Not knowing things

I liked it the most.

It was on repeat like being on a schedule every day.

How did the exhibition make you feel? Was it what you expected?

I left feeling different. It wasn’t what I expected. I expected less. I was surprised.

Little pocket-world.

Little universe different to what people call “normal.”

What do you think other people would say about it?

They would say it’s cringy and boring because they don’t have the same mindset.

What didn’t you like about the exhibition?

The large tapestry. Maybe too busy or too childish or old? Like one that shows tales of monsters from medieval times. I had a thought of stereotypical.

What did the exhibition remind you of?

Reminds me of them, paganism, and Mum/witches. Casting spells, asking for help from beyond the realm.

New Blood by Zunaira

Hunger filled my blood

Ravenous was my brain who wanted to be fed knowledge of a realm so distant but so close

The fragrance of fresh paint intoxicated my nasal regions

New paint

New day

New memories to be found

New memories to be created

New memories to remember

The entry I saw

The futuristic sight dwelled within my brain

I saw the names of all the artists

Encapsulating the essence of power

The floor space was a fresh canvas

Ready for my thoughts to paint a self portrait

An unopened archive of my imagination

Blasted open by paintings

Paintings that hang on the wall

Peace and purity from one perspective

Chaotic and crazy from another

The rug of beauty

Tapestry of perfection

From far it seemed to be a civilisation

A region working hand in hand together, but closeness brought a bomb of realisation for only it was lines astray with no correlation

If another fresh soul was to approach

Their logical mind would see the same for a limited time amount of time, but the logical side will perish only for the creative side to ember into a wildfire

A satiated chemical surged through my circulatory system

Not Without My Ghosts: The Artist As Medium ran at Millennium Gallery 31 March–26 June 2022. Thanks to Sile Sibanda for leading a writing workshop with the Young Critics following their trip to the gallery.

• Featured in
• Young Critics 2022