Digital artist Susan Kistner’s work on display in Newark Town Hall’s Spotlight gallery

A digital artist whose work is the first of its kind to be displayed in the town hall has had her exhibition extended.

Artist Susan Kistner, who moved to Newark three years ago, creates digital and textile artwork — and a selection of her work is currently on display in Newark Town Hall’s Spotlight Gallery.

The gallery aims to display the work of local artists, and Susan’s exhibition ‘Digital Explorations’ is the first of these to feature digital work.

It will run at the gallery until July 13, an extension from its initial June 7 end date.

Susan said: “I think digital art is a future for artists, it’s accessible, resources are more easily accessed.

“I like it, I like all the texture — I did print textiles and veered into digital art practice.”

She described the opportunity to display her art in the iconic building as “marvellous”, with the combination of the old and new appealing to her.

“I hope I’m adding something to Newark culturally,” she said.

While the final product is a digital work printed on fabric, Susan’s creative process starts in a much more tactile way with drawings and collages of her ideas — in line with her training in textile art at London Metropolitan University.

Then, the idea comes to life through photography and photoshop, before being printed.

“My work is a progression of sorts,” Susan added.

“Some are relevant to previous exhibitions and enquiries — there’s quite a mixture.

“There’s a focus on the environment, and it’s a bit political. It’s very visual and conceptual — there’s a piece of me in there.

“The overall theme is different ideas about society.”

The Spotlight Gallery is curated by Becky Fawcett, senior collections and exhibitions officer at the town hall.

Becky said: “It’s the first digital art exhibition we’ve held here — I think it’s like marmite, people like it or they don’t. It’s great to have something different, normally we have landscapes and portratits.

“We’re all about supporting local artists so it seemed a perfect fit.”

Susan’s work has been well received so far — with two pieces sold to a London buyer.

“It’s about getting different audiences in, and showing different things” Becky added.

The Spotlight Gallery is open 10.30am to 1pm Wednesday to Friday, and 10.30am to 3.30pm on Saturdays, on the second floor of the town hall.