Dimbola’s summer show is a celebration of 21 years of the Isle of Wight Festival since it was relaunched by John Giddings in 2002.
This will be the 1st ever retrospective exhibition of the Isle of Wight Festival that has featured great artists such as David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, Amy Winehouse, Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, Pink, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Paul McCartney, Blondie and so many more.
Sponsors include Solo, Barclaycard, The Daisy Rich Trust, The Price is Wight, Wightlink, Briddlesford Farm, Signpost Express, Isle of Wight Distillery, Goddards Brewery and Wight Karting. ‘Experience – the Isle of Wight Festival 2002 to 2023’ will feature photographs from all years of the Isle of Wight Festival, along with atmospheric crowd shots from around the site – you might even spot yourselves!
John Giddings is clearing out his IW Festival cupboard to bring a host of items to the exhibition, along with loaning photographs and footage since the Festival began – this will be a real trip down memory lane!
Dr Brian Hinton, Chairman of Dimbola, has built an extensive archive of the new Festival and many of these items will also feature in the exhibition, which will take you on a journey through several galleries at Dimbola.
John Giddings said:
“If you had told me in 2002 that we would still be doing it in 21 years, I would have laughed. We managed to lose a million pounds in the first two years but broke even with The Who and David [Bowie] in 2004. Thankfully it has gone from strength-to-strength year after year and is now one of the top 5 UK festivals.”
“I would never have done it if I hadn’t been there in 1970 – it was the Woodstock of Europe, bringing the Island to a standstill with 600,000 people watching Jimi Hendrix, and then getting banned for 32 years. Looking back on it, I think I had blind faith, people were talking behind my back asking how can you have a festival on an Island you can only get to by boat. I believed that was 1 of the attractions -it is like going on holiday (and has the most sunshine in the UK).”
Article continues below this advertisement “Thanks to everyone who has helped create it over the years, and thanks to the people on the Isle of Wight for welcoming us. I can sincerely say it is the best thing I have done in my career – long may it continue. This exhibition is to celebrate what we have achieved, and to get some money for Dimbola – a cause close to my heart – enjoy!”
![Dimbola 5[12197]](https://cdn.islandecho.co.uk/uploads/2022/04/Dimbola-512197-scaled.jpeg)
Dr Brian Hinton MBE said:
“Dimbola, which commemorates the 1970 Festival, held within sight and sound of the house, is so pleased and proud to celebrate 21 years and counting, of the revival of that earth-shattering event. Solo allows us to host a marquee every year on site showing the work of Julia Margaret Cameron, images from the Afton 1970 festival and the new Festival, which continue the spirit and good-natured character of the original event.”
‘Experience – the Isle of Wight Festival 2002 to 2023’ will run from 27th May to 17th September 2023. Limited edition prints and other merchandise will be available to purchase online and in the museum shop.
