'˜Everything Portsmouth' at the Aspex Gallery

The art gallery, at Gunwharf Quays, asked people to take part in its newest exhibition, ‘Postcards from my Neighbourhood’.

Hordes of people took to the creative centre at the weekend to view more than 700 postcards designed by locals, plastered across the walls.

Entrants were asked to paint or photograph what they love or loathe about their local area on a slip of paper the size of a postcard.

The pieces of artwork were made by a wide range of people, from four-year-old children to well-known local artists.

Some chose to paint the Spinnaker Tower, their families, Fratton Park – and one entrant even knitted the Southsea coastline. All of the submissions will be gifted to the Portsmouth City Archive, acting as a visual representation of the region in 2018.

The idea was thought up by Kevin Dean, the editor of Southsea Lifestyle.

Kevin and the gallery decided to collaborate on the project.

A few postcards will be chosen to feature in the February/March edition of the magazine.

Kevin said: ‘We had around 100 submissions initially, so we were a little concerned. A week before the exhibition, all of a sudden, we had another 600 in the post. It’s wonderful seeing so many people, some who may not have the chance to do this kind of thing usually, having the opportunity to be creative in this way.’

Submission guidelines state that all entries must be A6 in size and entrants must live within the PO postcode district.

Aspex Gallery spokesperson Ollie Tubb said: ‘The great thing about this exhibition is that it is open to all ages and abilities.

‘We’ve had entries from schools and people living in Portsmouth, Gosport, Chichester and the Isle of Wight.

‘It’s so interesting seeing people’s favourite aspects of the city and there’s still time to get your submissions in!’

Once the exhibition as finished, the gallery will send them to the archive.

Ollie added: ‘It’s lovely knowing so many people are adding to Portsmouth’s history. In years to come, people can look back and see what we loved about the city in 2018.’