More than 700 artworks were submitted for Age and Memory, the new open exhibition at Riverside Gallery, with 25 pieces selected to go on display from Saturday.

Over a three-month period, artists from across the country submitted works exploring the relationship between age and memory. The exhibition aims to offer an insight into how the process of ageing affects memory and recollection. It will run until April 25.

Councillor Liz Jaeger, cabinet member for youth, culture and leisure, says, “We had an overwhelming response to our latest open exhibition, with entries coming from all corners of the country.

“There was a notable contribution from older artists, both nationally and locally, many of whom have first-hand experience of how their memory has been affected by age.

“This exhibition has proven an excellent opportunity for older artists and the knowledge and wisdom that comes with age shines through in many of the exhibits.

“The exhibition comprises prints, sketches, photos and sculpture, with some exhibits focusing more on the physical effects of age and others on the mental, including Alzheimer’s.

“All of these contemplative pieces imaginatively, sensitively and sometimes humorously evoke and explore the themes of age and memory and I would urge as many people as possible to visit the gallery to gain an insight into an inevitable process we will all go through.”

Artist Alban Low, a Twickenham resident, is pleased to have had his piece, Afterlife (pictured above right), chosen for the show, having been involved in last year’s Painted Faces exhibition at Orleans House Gallery.

Afterlife was originally part of another project Low, aged 37, has been working on with his wife, Natalie, and he felt its combination of words and image was perfect for the Age and Memory theme.

He says, “We do a project in which I create images and Natalie adds words.

“We have a number of subscribers and we send them one of these artworks every month.

“We have done about 80 works which combine words and images – words help to get a point across.

“People are so busy in their lives, they need something to help them think.

“I think Afterlife fits in well (with Age and Memory).

“It is a positive piece whereas the connotation of age and memory could be negative.

“It is about seeing the past from new angles and it is postive about CCTV, too – something people can be quite down on.”

Age and Memory, Riverside Gallery, Whittaker Avenue, Richmond, Saturday, January 24 until April 25, visit richmond.gov.uk