Artists in Purbeck: Spirit of Place, an exhibition exploring the Isle of Purbeck through the eyes of artists, is opening at Bournemouth’s Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum.
The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum, Bournemouth, is thrilled to announce its upcoming exhibition, Artists in Purbeck: Spirit of Place. It’s the first exhibition dedicated solely to artists who captured Purbeck, Dorset, since the beginning of the 20th century.
The Isle of Purbeck, Dorset, has captivated artists for centuries. It’s fascinating variety of landscapes has inspired a wide range of artistic styles and subjects. This groundbreaking exhibition, co-curated by Dr. Gill Clarke MBE (co-author of Shorelines: Artists on the South Coast) and the Russell-Cotes, will showcase a rich collection of artworks drawn from the museum’s permanent holdings, alongside significant loans from private and regional collections. These include the Government Art Collection, Southampton City Art Gallery, and Pallant House Gallery. It also brings together works from local collections, including Dorset Museum, Poole Museum, Corfe Castle Museum, Langton Matravers Museum and Swanage Museum.
The exhibition is organised thematically, exploring distinct aspects of Purbeck through the lens of the artists’ work, from quarries and quarrying to the advent of Purbeck as a destination for leisure and tourism. It will also focus on notable landmarks and villages, such as Corfe Castle, Clavell Tower overlooking Kimmeridge Bay and the Great Globe at Swanage. In addition 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.’
Beyond the visual feast, Purbeck offers a sense of peace and tranquillity, a stark contrast to the bustling city life many artists were accustomed to. This tranquillity fostered both introspective and evocative works that captured essence and the spirit of the place.
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 the extraordinary works of art that have been inspired by Purbeck.’
Featuring over 70 works, the exhibition provides a unique opportunity to explore the Isle of Purbeck over time, through the eyes of artists who capture its ever evolving beauty. Artists in Purbeck: Spirit of Place opens on Saturday 12 October 2024 at the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum, Bournemouth, and runs until 16 March 2025.
