Artists in Purbeck: Spirit of Place opens at the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum in Bournemouth
On Friday 11 October 2024, Artists in Purbeck: Spirit of Place opened at the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum. The Private View, sponsored by Duke’s Auctioneers in Dorchester, was attended by distinguished guests, including Councillor George Farquhar, Mayor of Bournemouth, Vikki Slade MP, as well as Private Lenders to the Exhibition, Exhibiting Artists, Russell-Cotes supporters and friends.
The successful opening of this highly anticipated exhibition was a memorable event. Exhibition Curator, Dr Gill Clarke, captivated guests with a speech about the show and her curatorial process. She expressed gratitude to lenders, staff and artists for their support. Dr Clarke’s knowledge and passion for art are evident in the thoughtful selection of pieces. She ensures that the exhibition provided a comprehensive overview of the artistic landscape of Purbeck. The exhibition offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore the rich artistic heritage of the Purbeck region. Featuring a diverse range of artworks, including paintings, sculptures, and prints, the exhibition showcased the creativity and skill of local and regional artists.
The Artists in Purbeck exhibition is now open to all and continues to captivate visitors with its stunning display of art. It features over 80 works by renowned artists, spanning from the beginning of the 20th century to the present day. In addition to work from the Russell-Cotes Collection, the exhibition features significant loans from public collections including the Government Art Collection, Southampton City Art Gallery and Pallant House. It also includes work from local collections across Dorset, such as Corfe Castle, Langton Matravers and Swanage Museums. There is also a significant number of private loans, many of which are on public display for the first time.
The exhibition is organised thematically, exploring distinct aspects of Purbeck. Through the lens of artists, it explores quarrying through to the advent of Purbeck as a destination for tourism. It focuses on notable landmarks and villages, including Corfe Castle, Clavell Tower overlooking Kimmeridge Bay and the Great Globe at Swanage. Further to the ‘man-made follies’, unique geological wonders like rock formations and dramatic cliffs provided a fascinating subject for artists interested in capturing the history and character of the natural Purbeck landscape. While curating the exhibition, curator Dr Gill Clarke remarked:
‘It’s no wonder artists have been attracted to and captivated by the spectacular coastline, varied landscape and picturesque villages.’
Sarah Newman, Manager at the Russell-Cotes, said:
‘We are delighted to present this exhibition, which celebrates the rich artistic legacy of Purbeck. The artists featured in this show have captured the unique beauty and character of this region in a truly inspiring way. We invite visitors to join us on this journey through time and discover these extraordinary works of art.’
Artists in Purbeck: Spirit of Place opens on Saturday 12 October 2024 at the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum, Bournemouth, and continues until 16 March 2025.
