ITALIAN artist Marinella Senatore is celebrating the city of York and its people in her new exhibition York Symphony at York Art Gallery.

Known in Europe and the United States for her collaborative process of making new artworks through public participation, Senatore uses a range of media, such as video, collage and text, to allow her projects to "speak within a range of contexts".

This new Evelyn Commission in York is a contemporary response to the historic Evelyn Award, a scheme that ran from 1950 until 1962 with the aim of bringing York’s topographical collection up to date and saw the creation of such works as LS Lowry’s Clifford’s Tower.

“I see my art as a powerful agent of exchange," says Marinella. "I want to empower people and create new communities through participation in the creation of a new artwork."

The new exhibition is curated by Lara Goodband, who adds: "This exciting and unique new artwork is characterised by the energy, passion and the talents of the people in this famous, historic city."

York Symphony is the first of York Art Gallery’s new Evelyn Commissions and has been produced in partnership with York Museums Trust and with support via the Friends of York Art Gallery.

Senatore's artistic practice merges forms of protest and theatre, music and film, taking inspiration from public ceremonies, civil rituals as well as mass events, while reflecting on their political dimension and how they generate potential for social change. In 2013 she founded the School of Narrative Dance. Next to her performance practice, she explores urban issues and social topics such as emancipation and equality through paintings, collages, installations, video, photography and sound.

Senatore has held solo shows in Castello di Rivoli, Paris, Zurich, New York and now York, as well as participating in group exhibitions such as the 54th Venice Biennale and winning the MAXXI Prize in Rome in 2014.

York Symphony will be on show at York Art Gallery until May 7 2018.