Ancient Sea by Carolyn Lefley

Carolyn Leffley- Sea of Clouds

Ancient Sea is a body of work re-imagining the countryside surrounding Ham Hill as the sea.

Millions of years ago, the local limestone, known as Hamstone, was formed under water. Fossil remains of ammonites can be found in the fields around Ham Hill. Using photographic layering techniques Carolyn will merge the land with the sea. Local community groups will be invited to participate in the project development, including a fossil walk with a geologist. The final work will be installed in a local church. Churches are connected to the sea, as the word Nave, comes from the Latin – Navis, which means Ship.

Venue: St Mary’s Church, Stoke-Sub-Hamdon

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Carolyn Lefley (www.carolynlefley.co.uk) is a visual artist and educator. Her work uses photography and moving image to explore belonging, folklore and the natural world. Oceanography, astronomy and archaeology have inspired recent work. Carolyn works with digital and analogue photography as well as using traditional techniques such as cyanotype printing. Since relocating to Somerset in 2015, she has been Artist in Residence with Somerset Art Works for the Water Meadow Wood project and the Woolaway Reminiscence Project. She has taught as a Lecturer in Photography at the University of Hertfordshire, Coventry University and Anglia Ruskin University.

UPDATES (Aug, 2022)

During the past few months, I have been busy planning, researching and making work for my commissioned project ‘Ancient Sea’.
In May I spent some time visiting churches in the Ham Hill area to find a venue for my installation. I want to show the work in a church made from the local stone which inspired the project. I decided on St. Mary’s Church in Stoke sub Hamdon, which is set on the foothill of Ham Hill and is the closest geographically to where I’ve found ammonite fossils. I had an encouraging meeting with local vicar Reverend Nick Clark who is in support of the project. Through Nick I met with local geology expert and ex Ham Hill ranger Caroline Doherty.
In June I went for a reccy geology walk around Ham Hill with Caroline. Please join us for an Art and Geology walk in September. I also enjoyed a very informative meeting with four members of the Somerset Geology Group in July. They gave me a really helpful overview of the geology of the local area and I enjoyed hearing descriptions of a warm, calm tropical sea that would have once covered Stoke sub Hamdon.
Later that month I commissioned Ian Lishman to capture some drone footage of Ham Hill which I will incorporate into the ‘Ancient Sea’ film. In August I hosted my first public event at the Ham Hill Ranger’s Centre, accompanied by Geoff Rowland, a local geology expert and dry stone waller. I invited people from nearby villages to bring in fossils found locally which I photographed in a pop-up studio. These macro images of fossils will also be woven into my film.
‘Ancient Sea’ – St. Mary’s Church, East Stoke
24th September – 8th October. Fridays and Saturdays 10.00 – 17.00. Free admission.
St Mary’s Church, Church Lane, Stoke sub Hamdon, Somerset TA14 6UF
Geology and art walk around Ham Hill
Join artist Carolyn Lefley and ex Ham Hill volunteer ranger and local geology enthusiast Caroline Doherty for a walk taking in the geology of Ham Hill that inspired ‘Ancient Sea’.
Sunday 25th September. 10.00 – 12.00
Meet at Ham Hill Rangers Centre, Ham Hill Rd, Stoke-sub-Hamdon TA14 6RW
Ancient Sea – an evening of art, music, poetry and readings
An evening of art, music, poetry and readings inspired by the sea and moon. Artist Carolyn Lefley will give an artist talk and screening of her new work ‘Ancient Sea’.
Sunday 9th October. 18.00 – 19.30
St Mary’s Church, Church Lane, Stoke sub Hamdon, Somerset. TA14 6UF

Part of Artist Development Programme for SANCTUARY: Art Weeks Festival 2022, funded by Art Council England.

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