SANCTUARY- Ilminster Arts Centre

SANCTUARY 1st- 26th November

This showcase exhibition at Ilminster Arts Centre presents a selection of new and recent work by Somerset Art Works Members responding to the challenges of the national Lockdowns of 2020 and 2021. Many artists’ practice shifted or changed completely at this time as exhibitions were cancelled or postponed and artists explored new ways of making work in isolation. Through different projects set up by Somerset Art Works, and two mainly digital Open Studios events, SAW Members responded to ideas around safety, nurture, familiarity, wellbeing and community in their work. 

Many artists had to innovate with their studio practice as well as engaging with new ways of reaching audiences online. Some artists established a different way of working as Lockdown offered fresh perspectives such as a re-familiarisation with their locality, more observations whilst on daily walks or exercise and focussing on mental health. Other artists reflected on the benefits of slowing down, by observing what was on their doorsteps, or using the limitations on driving to re-explore nearby areas and ideas.

For some, sketchbooks provided a sanctuary for thoughts, and for new ideas to flourish. For others, repeated daily walks allowed these ideas to fully reveal themselves, re-visiting a familiar route and then rapidly working those ideas up in the studio. For many, there was comfort in something familiar as well as routine, which could be returned to as often as was needed.

This SAW Members showcase exhibition features over 50 works with accompanying statements by each artist reflecting on their experience of Lockdown and how their work responded to this unique time.

After such a difficult time for all, this year’s Somerset Art Weeks – Sanctuary – provided an opportunity and space to reflect, and for audiences to enjoy these new ideas.

Somerset Art Weeks ran from 24 September- 9th October 2022, with more than 300 artists in 109 venues across Somerset.

Published on October 31, 2022 // artweeks