An exhibition bringing the beauty and complexity of the South Downs Way into the heart of Winchester opens at The Arc tomorrow. In Every Step of the Way, 33 artists - three artists to every ten-mile stretch of the Downs - articulate experiences of walking the Way through their unique perspectives and different mediums.
This article provides a tantalising snapshot of the show. Through three artists who are diverse in their use of mediums, we explore what makes Every Step of the Way such a dynamic show.
1.
Jeremy Gardiner (Eastbourne to Alfriston)
Painter Jeremy Gardiner is no stranger to southern shores. Having worked actively on the Jurassic coast, exploring his interests in deep time and geological processes, he has developed a discerning eye that revels in the complexity of strata (layers). Allotted to the first section of the Downs, the artist has turned his gaze to the compelling Sussex coastline.
2.
Howard Phipps (Pycombe to Upper Beeding)
Printmaker Phipps has swapped the Wiltshire and Dorset Downs for the wiles of the South Downs Way. Phipps has brought traditional wood engraving tools such as his scorper and spitsticker to bear on the endless contours of the central Downs. The trees and trackways of central Sussex provided Phipps with numerous textural contrasts to play with.
3.
Vanessa Rolf (Exton to Winchester)
Textile artist Vanessa Rolf burrows beneath surfaces with every stitch, spinning stories out of incidental finds, and the Downs have proven to be a rich resource for her. Fields and their perpetually whirling furrows that furiously shift soil and fill much of the space of the latter stages of the South Downs way aid Rolf, who has produced a profound response to her gleanings.
These three, talented artists are representative of the quality and complexity that runs throughout the show. Every Step of the Way offers a comprehensive and original exploration of the entire South Downs Way. No stone will be left unturned (or unpainted) in this feat of multi-dimensional artistic and experiential mapping.
Every Step of the Way continues until 16 July
