On March 28 Hastings Contemporary launches its first open exhibition, Odyssey. Artists were invited to respond to the title theme, an exploration of journeys shaped by tides, time and transformation. As a town long defined by the coast and its shifting horizons, Hastings offers a fitting setting for narratives inspired by maritime history, personal voyages, and the elemental forces that shape coastal life. The gallery- wide show features work by over 100 Sussex artists selected from a call- out that attracted more than 2,500 submissions. We gave four of the six judges a near-impossible challenge: select your favourite work

Big Sur

This is such a beautiful painting of the sea, but the sea as another place; a kind of swimming pool in the front and then just an endless expanse of water behind it. There’s just something so kind of otherworldly and full of possibilities in that painting.” Fiona Banner on Alessandro Raho’s Big Sur.

St Maggie

My own practice is rooted in printmaking and one of the works which really resonated with me was a large linocut that has a mysterious folktale quality. Being an artist can be quite a lonely life, so there is a special value in having an open call exhibition like this to bring artists together, as well as the incredible opportunity of exhibiting in an amazing space like Hastings Contemporary.” Isabel Rock on Alexi Marshall’s St Maggie.

Murmuration Cloud

“I was astounded by the breadth of media and standard of entries for Odyssey. This is a powerful photograph capturing a murmuration of starlings. I’ve looked at plenty of starling murmurations, but what I like about this one is that he’s introduced a very powerful artistic component which makes for a striking image.” Chris Packham on Chris Harrison’s Murmuration Cloud.

Cephalopod

It was quite a civilised judging process, although I thought I’d be fighting Chris Packham at one point over a picture of a badger! I really am drawn to works which represent the natural world and this was the one for me. It’s a very beautiful depiction of the natural scene. What can I say? I like a squid.” Zoe Lyons on Jim Naughten’s Cephalopod.