Quay Arts’ Open Exhibition 2017 is the latest version of the biennial presentation based on a theme and this year’s exhibition contains sea and marine inspired works of art.
With a title of ‘I must down to the seas again’ it is based on John Masefield’s original version of his ‘Sea Fever’ poem. Sea Fever was first published in 1902 in ‘Salt-Water Ballads’, John Masefield’s first volume of poetry. The text was later changed to the more commonly used ‘I must go down to the sea again’ in 1923. John Masefield was Poet Laureate from 1930-1967.
A total of 101 artists submitted works for the open exhibition and after the judging panel deliberated around half of the contenders were eliminated. Those selected come from all over the Island and as you would expect in an Open competition some from further afield. This element includes artists from Cardiff, Eastbourne, Bristol, Berkshire, Norfolk, Wiltshire and London.
This exhibition, mounted in the West Gallery, is augmented by a number of interesting ‘nautical’ artefacts kindly loaned by the Isle of Wight Heritage Service.
Corina Westwood, Curator of Human History, Isle of Wight Heritage Service said:
”The Isle of Wight Heritage Service is excited to provide a selection of historic maritime artefacts and images for the Quay Arts Summer Open Exhibition.
“As an Island, our museum collections and archives reflect our rich and diverse connections with the sea. Our collections tell stories of the lives of Islanders through themes of work, leisure and sometimes tragedy. We relish opportunities to get our collections seen in new and innovative environments and look forward to comparing the new with the old”.
At a preview event, Quay Arts Director Paul Armfield thanked everyone involved including artists, Isle of Wight Council Heritage staff and volunteers who had all been involved in mounting the showcase exhibition, which will run until 22nd September.
Paul said that the exhibition was timed to coincide with Island Sea/Sailing events and the summer when both Island residents and visitors enjoy the sea, beach and coast. He read some ‘modern’ versions of a play on the words ‘I must go down to the seas again’ including one by Spike Milligan.
Georgia Newman, who co-ordinated the event, had the pleasure of naming the artist who had been selected to have their own dedicated solo exhibition to be staged in West Gallery in 2019.
As it happened the winner arrived at the event just seconds before the announcement. Caroline Underwood (pictured) had been sailing in Lendy Cowes Week aboard ‘Arrow’ in the XOD Class. She explained to us that knowing she had to be at Quay Arts in the early evening she was concerned that with a dropping wind and difficult tide ‘Arrow’ was rather stuck out at sea. The phase ‘I must get off the Sea again’ came to mind in the circumstances.
Caroline’s winning entries were a pair of mixed media works in black and white on canvas. They are entitled Island West (Compton) and Island East (Bembridge).
Part of a series, her winning works came about after she decided to paint a number of subjects based on her passion for walking. Caroline had the idea when she considered going from her home in the middle of the of the Island to various compass points.
Caroline is interested in exploring the meditative and restorative potential of time spent in a natural environment and working with nature. Her work with light and darkness combines traditional and experimental processes.
Other visual art exhibitions coinciding with this Summer’s theme at Quay Arts include: ‘Islands within an Island’ by Gianpaolo Mario Giancovich; ‘H2O’ by TRAC (the Ryde Art Collective) and ‘AQUA’ by the East Wight Photography Group, as well as lots of evening events bringing music, theatre and poetry throughout the duration of the main ‘Open’ exhibition.
