Somerset Art Weeks will highlight the many talented creatives living and working in our county. As artists respond to the theme of Landscape: Flux and Flow in a series of collaborative and group shows from 21 September to 6 October, Emma Bovill recommends her not-to-be-missed exhibitions
HATCH BEAUCHAMP
CLOSE is a destination that should be on the radar of art lovers in Somerset, if it isn’t already. Created by experienced curator and art dealer Freeny Yianni in the grounds of her countryside home, a former rectory in Hatch Beauchamp near Taunton, CLOSE brings contemporary art to a 17th century estate. Freeny’s vision for a progressive gallery in a rural setting, recognising the county’s heritage and responding to the environment, has resulted in a diverse array of art at CLOSE for nearly a decade. It showcases both local talents and influences from further afield, building on Freeny’s time within the London and New York art scenes and working with YBAs including Damien Hirst. ‘CLOSE's ethos was to create a beautiful gallery which offers a voice to artists and welcomes visitors to a unique and sensitive exhibition programme,’ Freeny explains. ‘We collaborate with artists who defy boundaries to give form to extraordinary ideas. The art we present is often unlike anything you've experienced before.’
Freeny has taken the gallery’s approach on tour, curating the Parallels project by Simon Hitchens for the Somerset Rural Life Museum in 2023 and an exhibition of Jane Harris' paintings at FRAC MECA in Bordeaux earlier this year. This summer saw the first of a series of exhibitions curated by CLOSE at Centrespace, Bristol, featuring gallery artists Katherine Perrins and Helen Barff.. It’s no wonder Freeny was invited to be co-chair of Somerset Art Works (SAW) in 2021. ‘I’m a true believer in developing partnerships that ensure we reach wider audiences to enrich the lives of local people and our visitors,’ she declares. ‘I hope that I contribute to weaving together and raising the profile of art in Somerset and to date SAW events are drawing in an international audience to the county.’
CLOSE is welcoming Canadian artist Carali McCall for a solo exhibition during the Somerset Art Weeks festival from 21 September to 6 October organised by SAW. ‘Caroli represents movement within her practice as she navigates performance drawings and the endurance and physicality of human potential,’ enthuses Freeny. ‘Her work is both dynamic and meditative.’ The gallery's location means visiting is by appointment only, but there are regular events, including private views, exhibition openings and artist talks, in the viewing room overlooking the courtyard where a warm welcome always awaits. CLOSE has also previously invited Taunton school pupils in to connect with the artworks. ‘I’m passionate and driven to engage with excellence in visual art that is inspiring and distinctive,’ says Freeny, who is an advocate for the link between art and wellbeing. ‘I enjoy facilitating artists to produce and present new work and for all audiences to experience it within Somerset and internationally.’ closeltd.com @closeltd
CREWKERNE
Emily Quince and Sue Green’s exhibition at 4 Market Street, Crewkerne, will present artworks across the mediums of drawing, painting, mixed media, paper/books and fine art textiles. Emily’s art investigates the ebb and flow of the inner landscape while Sue’s work takes an approach centred on making, unmaking and remaking.
DULVERTON
Four on the Moor at the Dulverton Heritage Centre gallery brings together ceramicist Alison Morrissey and multidisciplinary artist Rose Pitman as well as painters Jeremy Newsum and Laura Pitman, both of whom have responded directly to the Exmoor landscape in their contrasting styles. dulvertonheritagecentre.org.uk
GLASTONBURY
The Somerset Rural Life Museum has teamed up with Somerset Art Works for Spinning a Yarn: Telling the Story of Wool in Somerset from 14 September. Textile artists Lydia Needle and Nina Gronw-Lewis of ACEarts Somerton have created templates using different techniques of working with wool to allow visitors to get involved alongside an exhibition, film and large-scale installation. swheritage.org.uk/somerset-rural-life-museum
WEDMORE
Head to the Wedmore farmhouse studio of Emma Abel (featured in the June issue) to see her wildlife mosaics alongside works by printmaker Jo Briar who has previously exhibited at galleries and museums across Somerset. They will be joined by Mandi Baykaa-Murray, AKA ‘The Feather Lady’, who creates intricate paintings on real feathers she finds when walking in the Somerset countryside.abelmosaics.com
TAUNTON
SAW members exhibiting at Taunton Brewhouse including visual artist Kelly M O’Brien will be responding to the 2024 theme of Landscape: Flux and Flow by considering care and repair for ourselves, in conjunction with the natural and manmade environment and how we live within it. Built on the site of an industrial-era factory, Taunton Brewhouse has had a complete reimagining in recent years and is focussed on experimentation and innovation. The exhibition Landscape (Re)View II links to Landscape (Re)View I which will be running simultaneously at Musgrove Park Hospital’s exhibition space ‘The Wall’.
tauntonbrewhouse.co.uk
WATCHET
East Quay’s galleries and studios will welcome visitors during Somerset Art Weeks (SAW). Don’t miss Serena Korda’s exhibition Wild Apples, which challenges societal norms surrounding the portrayal of older women through a series of newly commissioned sculptures. Modelled on real West Country women, each sculpture bears the marks and traces of their lives. eastquaywatchet.co.uk
WELLS
A2 Gallery in Wells, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, has teamed up with Heritage Courtyard Gallery and Studios for a joint exhibition, Mother Earth, across both venues. A2 Gallery will show works by Anna Francis, Tara Vignoles, Pippa Hill, Jackie Adams, Jennifer Mole, Tiffy Minty and Solange Jewellery. Heritage Courtyard will display pieces by resident artists Heather Wallace, Rebecca Barnard, Cathy Charles, Linda Blaine, Di Lucas, Kim De Vries, Kate Wilson, Carmel Hornidge and Dee King. The joint exhibition encompasses a wide range of art from painting and printmaking to sculpture and mixed media works.a2gallery.co.uk heritagecourtyardstudio.com
WELLS
Also in the Heritage Courtyard, The Pressoir wine bar will host Josh Lomen’s photographic project The Somerset Willow Farmers which documents the day to day lives of willow farmers at Musgrove Willows near Bridgwater to show the art of willow crafting in Somerset. During the project Josh captured the skills, character and expertise of present-day willow farmers working within a traditional landscape. The exhibition will feature an array of highly detailed images highlighting the farmers’ dedication and love for their craft. thepressoir.com
YEOVIL
The Old Tannery Studios in Yeovil have approached the festival theme from the perspective of the relationship as artists between mentor/mentee and influencer/follower. A collection of nine artists working across mediums including painting, textiles, ceramics and printmaking will have, alongside their own work, a piece by others who have helped, influenced, mentored or inspired them on their artistic journeys.
A full programme and map can be found online or on the Somerset Art Weeks 2024 app. somersetartworks.org.uk @somerset_art_works
Reclaiming creativity
No matter how old I get, when September arrives the 'back to school' vibes kick in. For me this new beginning was always exciting. I loved learning (I still do), being back with my friends and the sunny but cool early days of term. I now get to watch my kids experience this too.
As adults many of us have (at least we think) unlearned how to be creative but witness our youngsters make art without self-censorship. This really hit me when I stepped into the ‘anti classroom’ at East Quay contemporary arts centre earlier this year, a space where children create at their own level – thanks to both the physical layout and a free flow attitude to making. An uninhibited approach to creating is at the root of East Quay. Free family activities during school holidays are a mainstay and pre-schoolers can enjoy the drop-in Mini Creators club on Friday mornings in term time. We Are Creators! for age 7+ runs on term time Saturdays with new activities each week alongside Project Creators for older children and teens where the focus is on building skills. As a new academic year arrives, we could all take a leaf out of East Quay’s book (and be inspired by the autumn leaves soon to fall) and invest a little time and enthusiasm in our creativity. We’re never too old to learn. eastquaywatchet.co.uk @eastquaywatchet
Photo caption: Children creating their own abstract sculpture as part of the Project Creators club Photo East Quay
