Ali Hollingsworth, Missing.
Just a couple of miles south of Aldeburgh, the National Trust's Orford Ness National Nature Reserve is still a secret to many. There are few visitors who don't feel an immediate sense of atmosphere when they step off the ferry onto this remote extremity of Suffolk that boasts a unique combination of natural beauty and stark military bunkers.
Now the desolate and alien landscape of the Reserve has once again been the inspiration for a lucky group of artists who have been using the former military and nuclear testing site to produce artwork for a new exhibition in Aldeburgh.
Martin Laurance at Orford Ness.
Martin Laurance, Heather Hodgson, Joan Hodes, Ali Hollingsworth, John Barker and Katharine Roney are the latest to take inspiration from this wild and remote stretch of Suffolk coastline. All of them locals, the group has connections to the Orford area and each shares a fascination with 'The Island', as it is known locally.
Duncan Kent, Visitor Services Warden at Orford Ness explained more about the group and their project:
"Martin used to accompany his father to work at Orford quay when he was a child; Ali, Heather and John all live locally; Joan's studio overlooks the Ness and Katharine has had a fascination with the site ever since she sailed past the 'Keep Out' signs in the 1950s."
Martin Laurance, Pagoda.
Working directly on the Ness, the six artists have been given access to areas of the National Trust property, not normally open to the public. Each has spent a considerable amount of time there within the last year, witnessing the changing of seasons, capturing both the site's natural and manmade beauty.
The project is the latest in a series of exciting art projects and installations carried out at Orford Ness, and the former nuclear testing site is continuing to prove to be an inspirational location.
Katharine Roney, Ruins.
"What's great to see is that each artist has had a completely different response to the site, which has led to a fascinating collection of work, produced using a variety of mediums," added Duncan.
The group will be staging an exhibition of their work at the Peter Pears Gallery in Aldeburgh, in November 2009. Called ‘Stone Eye’ after a tidal creek that runs through the middle of Orford Ness, the show will feature the work and convey some knowledge about the site and its fragility.
John Barker, The Lighthouse.
The new exhibition at Peter Pears Gallery from Friday 13 to Wednesday 18 November. If you're a National Trust member and would like to see a private view of the exhibition on Saturday November 14, 5pm to 7pm, contact Duncan Kent on 01394 450900 or e-mail duncan.kent@nationaltrust.org.uk.
