Traditional Dorset Buttons with a contemporary twist are amongst the art exhibited for this year’s Dorset Art Weeks. Watercolours created using masking tape, and photography expressing the artist’s identity also feature.
Artists across the county are putting the final touches to their work before opening their doors to visitors from 14 to 29 May. This is the 30th year of Dorset Art Weeks, an event which sees artists and makers welcome people into their studios, sheds, galleries, barns and other creative spaces.
Over 250 artists are taking part in the event, including:
Anna McDowell uses traditional techniques to make Dorset Buttons with a contemporary twist. 2022 celebrates 400 years of Dorset Buttons, which were first produced as a cottage industry in Shaftesbury. Anna has developed the craft and uses sustainable sari silks and colourful yarns from villages in India to create her new designs.
(Venue 58, Donhead St Mary, near Shaftesbury)
Göran Hahne is a painter and lithographer inspired by Dorset’s villages, traditional buildings, harbours and seascapes. His watercolours are created using a special technique which he developed while painting on boats in his native Sweden; he uses a scalpel to finely cut pieces of masking tape for each layer of colour. This creates a distinctive, more defined look than most watercolours.
(Venue 64, Blandford)
Alison Webber’s monochrome photography has been created as part of her project Through An Aspergic Lens, in which she reveals the way that she visualizes her world. Recently diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome, Alison’s photographic journey has helped her to express her true identity.
(Venue 137, Dorchester)
At Slader’s Yard, the work of nine artists and makers ranges from Gabriele Koch’s landscape-inspired ceramics to Petter Southall’s hand crafted wooden furniture.
(Venue 211, West Bay)
Jaamart is a collection of four friends, all passionate about creativity. Their watercolour paintings include birds, wild animals, horses, dogs as well as atmospheric street and water scenes. They also share a well established inventiveness in interior and furniture design.
(Venue 108, Lytchett Matravers, near Poole)
At Galiani Glass Art, Gail Boothman and Ian Godfrey enjoy welcoming visitors to share their art. The studio is full of colourful contemporary glass including garden sculptures, jewellery, wall hangings and splashbacks. Having developed their techniques over a number of years, Gail and Ian began working in the studio full time during the pandemic.
(Venue 109, Poole)
John Meaker will be showing his life paintings and drawings, giant portraits and ‘spontaneous graffiti’. Amongst John’s inspirations are the Greek myths, and their relevance to modern problems. Visitors will also be able to see Abbotsbury Studio, where John runs courses and practical workshops on skills and techniques.
(Venues 180 & 181, Abbotsbury)
Dorset Art Weeks provides local people and visitors an opportunity to make the most of Dorset’s towns, villages and landscapes, and to discover the range of creative talent across the county.
Dorset Art Weeks is a Dorset Visual Arts event with sponsorship from headline sponsor Hall & Woodhouse as well as from Badger Beer The Auction Hub and Acoustic Distribution.
The Dorset Art Weeks Guide to venues is available online, from libraries, galleries, museums and other cultural centres across Wessex. It features venue details, maps, and information to help visitors plan their trip. More information is available online dorsetartweeks.co.uk
Gillian Taylor PR 