A group of leading artists from across the region will be taking visitors on an inspirational tour of the South Downs Way through their artwork at a new exhibition at The Gallery in The Arc, Winchester.
From Eastbourne to Alfriston, Washington to Amberley, Exton to Winchester, Every Step of the Way illustrates walking the 100-mile South Downs Way, as 33 artists articulate their personal experience of the trail through their art. The exhibition is structured around the 11 sections of the national trail guide, with three artists, each with a different artistic approach, allocated to each. Mainly based in Hampshire and West Sussex, the exhibiting artists were invited to create new works for the exhibition based on this dramatic landscape on our doorstep.
The exhibition, which has been created in partnership with The Ramblers Association, brings together a selection of exceptional paintings and printmaking, sculpture, land art, textiles and more, from artists including Fiona McIntyre, Jon Edgar, Howard Phipps and Simon Hitchens.
Kirsty Rodda, Visual Arts Exhibitions Manager at Hampshire Cultural Trust, which operates The Arc, said: “The experience of walking the South Downs Way is complex and multi-faceted, involving physical exertion in all weathers and the delights of all the senses. There are ever-changing views, close encounters with nature, as well as intriguing discoveries of unusual land features, buildings, ruins and secluded historic and contemporary human activity.
“We are incredibly privileged to be able to display the works of this body of artists who really do represent the best of our regional contemporary art scene. These new works are a testament to their talent and to the unique landscape of the South Downs Way, and we hope that the exhibition will inspire its visitors to experience the wonders of the South Downs Way for real.”
Every Step of the Way opens on Thursday 4 April and runs until 16 July.