Notice: Surrey Unearthed

Published on: 15 Jul, 2018
Updated on: 15 Jul, 2018

The Travelling Reading Room” by Amie Rai. (A book that travels across the Surrey Hills slowly creating content at each location).

Surrey Unearthed, a programme of ten projects combining contemporary art and landscape, inspired by Surrey’s outstanding natural beauty, is aiming to educate people about and engage us with the Surrey landscape.

An exhibition showing its work is currently underway at Leith Hill Place, in the Surrey Hills. It runs until July 22nd (2018).

From Humble Beginnings” by Steven Edwards (him on the photo next to his piece). It explores the materiality of clay, and draws from the use of clay extraction for building materials.

Through the exploration of chalk, clay, grass, wood, stone and earth, established and emerging artists aim to surprise the public with a variety of work including: music, sculpture, paper artwork. The ambitious project started in January this year.

Funded by the Surrey Council, the Art Partnership Council, Surrey Hills Trust Funds, Gatwick Airport Trust and many others, the artists uncover the area by using natural materials.

While this programme gives a narrative of the history of Surrey Hills, it is also a social project bringing about a sense of community by connecting people to their local area. It also explores the farmer’s relation to land in harvest time in projects such as Harvest Mary Branson.

Ali Clarke, project manager, says that: “Art and landscape is a winning association that also offers healing aspects.”

The programme also aims to promote the heritage of the area. Through their arts, the artists intend to establish an active campaign against oil and gas exploration and extraction in places around Surrey.