We are thrilled to announce that Johns Church, Highbridge has connected with two Somerset artists to put on exhibitions, workshops and events that are FREE to attend. Our two successful callout applicants boast beautiful portfolios that include digital work, photography and poetry that celebrate our local geography and history.
St. Johns welcomed Elizabeth Woodger in October, who exhibited a new work from her Diagenesis project. This was accompanied by a meet-the-artist event and a community art project. Elizabeth is passionate about her connection to the landscape, and her work explores elements of the environment in and around Exmoor. As a geologist and climatologist, Elizabeth is fascinated by the idea of human intervention and interaction. Her work to a pre-folded photograph on a huge scale where it was dissected to make a 7 part hanging piece for viewers to explore.
Working with the Somerset Community Foundation grant allowed Elizabeth the opportunity to create a new artwork specifically for installation within the church. A huge landscape that explored her visions on an entirely different scale.
'Diagenesis is an artistic project that blends photography and geology to examine the relationship between humans and the environment. This new work – created specifically for St John’s Church – extends the project to new surroundings. Here, the Somerset coastline is fragmented by an assemblage of faults and folds. By altering local landscapes in this way, I aim to draw awareness to the role that humans play in causing environmental transformations (both negative and positive). The simple truth is that there are now very few environments left untouched by human behaviour'
Sally Light is set to grace St. John's with her exhibition opening on the 5th of February. Sally will show an immersive version of her 'Hedgeweft' series for Somerset Art Weeks 2023.
She stitches together the oral traditions and cultural heritage of her experiences as a mender at Foxes Mill, Wellington, with her deep sense of place captured in digital images. The show combines the song of the loom, leat, and countryside through audio sampling, poetry readings, and prints on cloth.
Sally was awarded a bursary with Somerset Art Works in 2023 and won the opportunity to work with Sami Green Creative in 2023 as part of the Folk and Locus project, for early career artists. Support from Somerset Film and Daniel Birch Music has enabled the production of a new audio composition that mixes field recordings with her poetry.
Join us at St. John's Church, Highbridge on the 8th of February and view the exhibition. It is an opportunity to meet Sally, listen to a short talk and enjoy some refreshments. It is our opportunity to celebrate the success of the Folk and Locus project.
We are also lucky to have forged a friendship with the Burnham and Highbridge 'Repair Café' who meet monthly at the Purple Spoon. Sally has been invited to deliver a free-to-attend Rag Rug Workshop on the 16th of March, from 10-1. Here you will get a chance to witness Sally's mending skills first-hand and get involved in some upcycling while learning a new skill.