A new exhibition in Kendal is exploring heritage, identity, and personal history.
Familial Traces, now open at Abbot Hall, brings together the work of emerging British artists Lela Harris and Joshua Donkor.
The exhibition runs until October 3, and is included with general admission to the gallery.
Lela Harris, a Kendal-based artist born in 1979, said: "I’m thrilled to be exhibiting in my adopted hometown of Kendal alongside award-winning figurative artist, Joshua Donkor.
"Abbot Hall has supported my practice from the very beginning, and having such an inspiring collection on my doorstep makes this moment especially meaningful.
"It’s an honour to share work that reflects on both personal histories and wider cultural narratives, and I’m delighted to be exhibiting alongside Joshua’s richly layered paintings, which I’ve long admired."
Through paintings, Harris and Donkor invite visitors to consider the lasting impact of memory, family, and cultural heritage.
Harris is known for her evocative portraits on individuals often overlooked by history.
Her practice combines observation with historical research to produce layered artworks.
Joshua Donkor, a British-Ghanaian artist born in 1997, said: "I’m incredibly excited for this exhibition.
"I had long admired Lelas’ work, so it has been a joy to work together with her on this.
"I think we found so much commonality within our practice, yet it also feels like the work comes from very different perspectives and lived experiences.
"I think this brings a really interesting complexity to the show that will hopefully spark lots of conversation on the themes of identity, belonging, and archiving.
"It is so special to be able to show my work in Kendal and to share the personal themes and stories within the paintings to a completely new audience."
Donkor’s approach to portraiture involves working closely with his sitters and weaving together personal histories, family photographs, and cultural references.
Lakeland Arts said: "Together, Harris and Donkor’s work celebrates forgotten histories and personal family narratives, highlighting the links between individuals, communities, and the places they inhabit.
"The exhibition encourages visitors to reflect on their own histories and connections to heritage, whether growing up with access to ancestry or seeking to reclaim it.
"Through these portraits, audiences encounter ordinary lives full of hopes, dreams, and challenges, reminding us of the shared humanity that connects us all."
Alongside Familial Traces, visitors can experience Bellwethers, an exhibition exploring human fragility, resilience, and survival in South Cumbria.
The gallery is also hosting The Paper Quilt Project, a community-created exhibition.
Selected works from the Lakeland Arts collection are also currently on display in the Portrait Galleries and Art Herbarium.
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