What Made Ferens Art Gallery's Jason Wilsher-Mills Exhibition Win A Global Award?

If you’ve ever visited Ferens Art Gallery in Hull, you’ll know it’s got a knack for bringing surprising, imaginative art to the city. But earlier this year, one exhibition stood out so much that it grabbed global attention — and now, it’s won a big international award.

The exhibition was called Are We There Yet?, and it was created by artist Jason Wilsher-Mills, whose bright, bold sculptures and digital art explore life as a disabled person. With over 51,000 visitors through the doors during its run, this wasn’t just another show — it became a proper crowd magnet. And that’s exactly why it just bagged the Museum and Heritage Award for Temporary or Touring Exhibition of the Year (under £80k budget).

What was the big deal about this exhibition?

Lots of exhibitions are nice to look at. But Are We There Yet? was more like stepping into someone else’s colourful mind. Imagine walking into a gallery and seeing huge inflatable sculptures that actually talk back to you using augmented reality. Sounds a bit sci-fi, right? But that’s Jason’s style — fun, moving, and full of energy.

Jason, who’s a disabled artist, uses iPads and Wacom tablets to make his art. He turns those digital paintings into interactive sculptures, filled with bright colours, personal stories, and even humour. The work reflects his own memories — like family holidays in Withernsea — and parts of his identity, including his disability. It’s art that makes you feel something and gives you something to think about long after you’ve left.

The story behind the sculptures

A big part of the exhibition’s magic was how it mixed personal memories with playful tech. The star of the show? A whopping inflatable sculpture called The Withernsea 2. Inspired by Jason’s seaside holidays and ancient figurines from the Roos Carr figures in the Hull Museums collection, it’s now a permanent part of the Ferens collection.

So even though the main exhibition ended in 2024, Jason’s work is still front and centre. In fact, The Withernsea 2 is the first thing you see when you walk into the gallery now. It’s like a giant welcome hug from Jason himself.

Why the award matters (and who it matters to)

Winning a global Museum and Heritage Award might sound like a fancy feather in the cap, but what it really means is that a relatively small-budget exhibition (under £80,000) punched way above its weight. It recognised not just Jason’s talent but the commitment of the team at Ferens who made the show possible.

Jason said it best:

“I am so proud and thrilled that my exhibition ‘Are We There Yet?’ has won this most prestigious award, and I am pleased that the wonderful team at Ferens are getting some well-deserved recognition for all of their hard work.”

He also added that over 51,000 people came to see the work, which shows just how much it connected with the public — especially people in Hull.

Working together made it work

This wasn’t a one-man job. Jason worked with local disabled artists in Hull, turning the project into something much bigger than just one person’s vision. He mentioned how the collaboration brought out the best in everyone, saying:

“For me Ferens is one of the best galleries in the country.”

Even Hull’s councillor for culture and leisure, Rob Pritchard, gave a shout-out:

“To be recognised at this level is a real testament to the quality of Jason’s work… Our permanent collection sculpture ‘The Withernsea 2’ continues to draw as much interest now.”

He also noted that the gallery team learned loads about accessibility, which means they’re now better equipped to make future exhibitions even more open to everyone.

Here's why it connected so deeply

• It was personal – Jason shared real parts of his life, and people related to that.
• It used tech in a fun way – The augmented reality bits weren’t just gimmicks; they actually made you stop and interact.
• It was bold and joyful – This wasn’t quiet, serious art. It was loud, colourful, and full of feeling.
• It gave a voice to disabled artists – Not just in content, but in collaboration too.

Fancy seeing it for yourself?

Even though Are We There Yet? has officially wrapped up, you can still catch some of its legacy. Pop into Ferens Art Gallery and you’ll be greeted by The Withernsea 2 right at the entrance. You might even find yourself smiling at it without really knowing why.

Opening hours are:

• Monday to Saturday: 10am–4.30pm
• Sunday: 11am–4pm

More info at: www.ferensartgallery.co.uk

And if you're wondering whether it's worth the trip? Let's just say 51,623 people didn’t turn up by accident.