Dorset?! Why Dorset?

Does contemporary art need to be in urban areas? Well, I think I would answer no.

I have been running South West Artwork on and off since 2006 by doing exhibitions, creating commission opportunities for other fine artists and generally promoting contemporary art in rural and unusual settings.

And you know, I was surprised by the response. Having moved down from London the impression I got was 'the end of the train line'. The end of civilisation. That's it I've sold out to retire at the tender age of 26...

But having lived and worked here for over 5 years I couldn't think of a better place to be. Seriously.

The amount of artists and general public who have left comments and spoken to me directly saying 'thank you', 'thank you for bringing contemporary art to Dorset', 'I haven't found an outlet to show my work for ages then you guys show up'. All great to hear obviously, but so telling that there is a need for it. A need by artists and a want by the general public.

Over the past few years we have built up a great circle of artists who exhibit with us. Some are recent graduates, some are emerging fine artists and some are established and have been doing it for years. Usually however they would have to go to larger city areas to exhibit their work. And what a shame that is, why deprive the good people of Dorset and the South West of home grown talent exhibiting on their doorstep?

The proof of interest is of artists emailing nearly every day to exhibit with us and the general public wondering when our next exhibition is. It shows a thirst for contemporary art to have a spotlight in rural areas. 'We love contemporary art but we also like the sea, the open fields etc etc'...and in our case owning rather spoilt hens at the bottom of the garden!

It might the end of the train line but what a damn fine place to exhibit great contemporary art work...