Iss TV - Watch it, be on it!

Launch of Dorset Art Weeks

Anna Edwards at DAW

Open doors at the UK’s largest free festival of visual art - Dorset Art Weeks 24th May – 8th June - The UK’s largest free festival of visual art signalled its vibrant return to the county as more than 150 guests celebrated the work of Dorset’s leading artists and makers at the official launch of Dorset Art Weeks on Tuesday 20th May. With just days to go until more than 800 artists open up their studios to the public county-wide, an exhibition of 50 panel selected makers, photographers, ceramicists, painters, sculptors, textile artists and jewellers was unveiled at the Study Gallery of Modern Art in Poole. As live jazz gently filled the venue guests explored the four levels of the showcase exhibition, entitled ‘Trig Point’. The show provided a diverse range of work for all budgets and tastes to reflect the festivals offerings, from a beautifully crafted £125,000 chest of drawers in ripple ash by internationally-renowned furniture maker John Makepeace OBE to Rita Brown’s stunningly unique mixed media pieces, available from as little as £15. Other exhibits included a 10ft high Greta Berlin sculpture of a stiletto-clad woman giving birth in a defiant stance with hands on hips. Adrian Grey provided an element of performance art as he balanced large stones in seemingly gravity-defying positions while gathering crowds looked on with disbelief. Janet Young, Dorset Art Weeks administrator, said: “The launch has signalled a really exciting and energetic start to Dorset Art Weeks. It’s terrific to see the results of months of hard work and organisation being enjoyed by so many people.” ‘Trig Point’ is open to the public between May 21st and June 7th. Jem Maine, director of The Study Gallery, says: “The exhibition features some exquisitely made work and some ambitious, enthusiastic work. Visitors will see figurative work, abstract work, pieces that are fun and pieces that are profound, it really is hugely diverse.” Running from the 24th May to the 8th June, Dorset Art Weeks offers visitors the chance to explore 336 open art studios in locations such as country barns, contemporary art galleries, urban warehouses to beach huts and community halls. Work from all media including painters, photographers, digital artists, sculptors, jewellers, glass makers, furniture makers, textile artists and many more will be represented. For more information and to start planning studio visits The new A4+ size DAW08 Guide giving full details of artist’s studio and exhibition locations is now available. The guide is supported by a brand new event website with mapping facilities to help plan visits. www.dorsetartweeks.co.uk Run time: 06’22 mins