The Land

About

Our landscape so often forms our sense of home, place and belonging. We feel connected to it and take pleasure in the beauty of the nature and scenery it offers. It has long been a place of inspiration for artists, poets, writers and composers as they make and create there.  The land we inhabit moves us to respond, individually and collectively, on many levels.

Based in the heart of the beautiful south coast, CANDIDA STEVENS GALLERY has asked six accomplished Sussex and southern-based artists to show work that responds to the rural surroundings in which they live. THE LAND will run all summer long and feature an altering landscape of pieces from each throughout the exhibition.

Polly Dutton shows her elemental paintings, inspired by the effects of the sun, wind and rain on the landscape. Often found out walking and sketching on the South Downs, she aims to capture the energy and light she sees there. Juliet Robertson, a new artist to the gallery and 2016 winner of National Open Art competition Best Artist prize, paints the muted greens and muddy clays of subtle wintery, Sussex hillscapes.

Heading deeper into the South Downs again, Kate Boucher, and 2017 artist in residence at the gallery, uses felt, charcoal and steel to express its mystery and atmosphere. Rob Lyon returns with a new series of poignant abstract landscapes of these same ancient hills. He lingers on the generous chalk escarpments and totemic yew groves and reveals the scars of how humans have, and continue, to affect its natural beauty.

Devon based artist Gina Parr, shows her brooding, atmospheric works that express our connection to the outdoors and reflect upon our place within it. Her pieces are inspired by her core connection to the Devon scape, her memories and feelings of being both present in and absent from it.

We are also delighted to introduce the acclaimed Oxfordshire sculptor Hamish Mackie, whose bronzes of wildlife from the British landscapes will be on display. This follows on from his work being featured at RHS Chelsea Flower Show. It is great opportunity to see his pieces here in West Sussex, where much of the wildlife that inspires him can be regularly seen.

So, if you are a lover of the land and wish to have its beauty and essence captured for enjoyment in your own home, this special selection of paintings and sculpture will hold much appeal. Pop in to the gallery to take a stroll through and enjoy viewing the nature, elements and rhythms as seen through the eyes of artists who live, are inspired by and create in the land everyday.