Exhibition wrestles with traditional combat sport

Artist Janet Moss said she appreciated the skill involved in the sport

Artists hope a free exhibition celebrating a type of traditional wrestling will shine a light on the sport.

The Florence Arts Centre in Egremont, Cumbria, is showcasing original paintings, photographs and other heritage objects linked to Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling from Sunday.

The "backhold" sport, which involves gripping one's own hands behind an opponent's back for the duration of a match, is centuries old.

Janet Moss, whose paintings are in the exhibition, said she hoped that those who visited the exhibit would take an interest in the sport afterwards.

"It's such a unique part of Cumbria," she said.

Ms Moss said she became interested in painting the sport because it was "very geometric" and "full of movement".

"It's a sort of abstraction, you know, pulling out the shapes and things that interest me," she said.

One aspect of the sport which she particularly appreciated was the skill involved, she added.

"I've seen very small girls beat very big boys," she said. "It can be done if you've got the agility and the aptitude."

Photographer Chris Routledge said the sport was "beautiful"

Chris Routledge, who took the photographs displayed in the exhibition, said he hoped people who saw it would better understand that Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling was "quite a thriving folk activity".

"It's properly competitive," he said. "But also it's kind of amazingly beautiful – it's like a dance in some ways."

The exhibition will also showcase the embroidered costumes people wear while wrestling.

It will run every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 7 September to 2 November.