Dorset, Somerset &amp; Bristol

There&#8217;s something so soothing about strolling around an art exhibition, don&#8217;t you think? Letting the artworks wash over you, absorbing what you see; sometimes beautiful, sometimes quirky; often thought-provoking. And when it&#8217;s in the serene surroundings of the beautiful and historic Wells Cathedral, it&#8217;s almost a mindfulness experience.



I&#8217;m talking about the annual international open art competition, <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Wells Art Contemporary (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.wellsartcontemporary.co.uk/" target="_blank">Wells Art Contemporary </a>(WAC), on at Wells Cathedral from Sat 30 July to Sun 28 August. Some 3,200 artworks were submitted by 1,600 artists from 47 countries (impressive). The judges have drawn up their shortlist of 120 pieces by 111 artists, working in mediums ranging from painting to sculpture. Alongside, there are 29 site-specific installations, reflecting the architecture, the space and the spirituality of the Cathedral. Entry to the exhibition is free. All the artworks are for sale, though to be fair, most of them don&#8217;t come cheap. Ahead of the judges&#8217; decisions (watch this space), here&#8217;s a taster of the show.



Katie Surridge used wording from text messages she received from people on an online dating app on her steel and recycled copper Mates Gates. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2001" src="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WACINSTALLATION.-Mates-Gates-by-Katie-Surridge.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-70769" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WACINSTALLATION.-Mates-Gates-by-Katie-Surridge.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WACINSTALLATION.-Mates-Gates-by-Katie-Surridge-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WACINSTALLATION.-Mates-Gates-by-Katie-Surridge-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WACINSTALLATION.-Mates-Gates-by-Katie-Surridge-300x400.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WACINSTALLATION.-Mates-Gates-by-Katie-Surridge-768x1025.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WACINSTALLATION.-Mates-Gates-by-Katie-Surridge-1151x1536.jpg 1151w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WACINSTALLATION.-Mates-Gates-by-Katie-Surridge-394x525.jpg 394w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption>Mates Gates by Katie Surridge, £4,500</figcaption></figure>



Emma Moxey&#8217;s graphic Rock of Ages, inspired by plastic shards and polystyrene flotsam found on beach walks, is ironic. It’s not a rock and we don’t have ages. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1489" src="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-GALLERY.-Emma-Moxey-Rock-of-Ages.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-70763" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-GALLERY.-Emma-Moxey-Rock-of-Ages.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-GALLERY.-Emma-Moxey-Rock-of-Ages-800x794.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-GALLERY.-Emma-Moxey-Rock-of-Ages-1000x993.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-GALLERY.-Emma-Moxey-Rock-of-Ages-400x397.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-GALLERY.-Emma-Moxey-Rock-of-Ages-768x762.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-GALLERY.-Emma-Moxey-Rock-of-Ages-529x525.jpg 529w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption>Rock of Ages by Emma Moxey, £2,800</figcaption></figure>



Wire and paper pulp recreate a large, delicate, elegantly simple wasp’s nest; a Safe Haven by Jane Jobling echoes the mathematics of the architecture of the Cathedral. It almost looks as if it&#8217;s made from the same stone. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2000" src="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-INSTALLATION.-Safe-Haven-by-Jane-Jobling.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-70766" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-INSTALLATION.-Safe-Haven-by-Jane-Jobling.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-INSTALLATION.-Safe-Haven-by-Jane-Jobling-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-INSTALLATION.-Safe-Haven-by-Jane-Jobling-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-INSTALLATION.-Safe-Haven-by-Jane-Jobling-300x400.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-INSTALLATION.-Safe-Haven-by-Jane-Jobling-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-INSTALLATION.-Safe-Haven-by-Jane-Jobling-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-INSTALLATION.-Safe-Haven-by-Jane-Jobling-394x525.jpg 394w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption>Safe Haven by Jane Jobling, £3,000</figcaption></figure>



A selection of weird and wonderful artefacts &#8216;recovered from the subconscious&#8217; and covered with mysterious symbols. What does it all mean? According to the artist Alex Wilmoth, it&#8217;s about how we &#8216;attach meaning and decipher iconography leading us to manufacture absurd narratives that reflect the bizarre nature of reality.&#8217; I&#8217;ll leave you to work that one out.&nbsp; 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2246" src="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-GALLERY.-A-Gentlemans-Club-by-Alex-Wilmoth.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-70760" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-GALLERY.-A-Gentlemans-Club-by-Alex-Wilmoth.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-GALLERY.-A-Gentlemans-Club-by-Alex-Wilmoth-534x800.jpg 534w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-GALLERY.-A-Gentlemans-Club-by-Alex-Wilmoth-668x1000.jpg 668w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-GALLERY.-A-Gentlemans-Club-by-Alex-Wilmoth-267x400.jpg 267w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-GALLERY.-A-Gentlemans-Club-by-Alex-Wilmoth-768x1150.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-GALLERY.-A-Gentlemans-Club-by-Alex-Wilmoth-1026x1536.jpg 1026w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-GALLERY.-A-Gentlemans-Club-by-Alex-Wilmoth-1368x2048.jpg 1368w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-GALLERY.-A-Gentlemans-Club-by-Alex-Wilmoth-351x525.jpg 351w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption>A Gentleman&#8217;s Club by Alex Wilmoth, £10,000</figcaption></figure>



Over-sized glass marbles in St Martin’s Chapel reflect the sacred orb held by Jesus in the chapel’s painted relief. At once playful yet serious, graceful yet grave, To See the World in a Grain of Sand by Jane Taylor Weekes, deals with the paradoxes within human nature.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1707" height="2560" src="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-INSTALLATION.-To-See-the-World-in-a-Grain-of-Sand-by-Jane-Taylor-Weekes.-CREDIT-Greg-Trevise-scaled.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-70767" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-INSTALLATION.-To-See-the-World-in-a-Grain-of-Sand-by-Jane-Taylor-Weekes.-CREDIT-Greg-Trevise-scaled.jpg 1707w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-INSTALLATION.-To-See-the-World-in-a-Grain-of-Sand-by-Jane-Taylor-Weekes.-CREDIT-Greg-Trevise-533x800.jpg 533w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-INSTALLATION.-To-See-the-World-in-a-Grain-of-Sand-by-Jane-Taylor-Weekes.-CREDIT-Greg-Trevise-667x1000.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-INSTALLATION.-To-See-the-World-in-a-Grain-of-Sand-by-Jane-Taylor-Weekes.-CREDIT-Greg-Trevise-267x400.jpg 267w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-INSTALLATION.-To-See-the-World-in-a-Grain-of-Sand-by-Jane-Taylor-Weekes.-CREDIT-Greg-Trevise-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-INSTALLATION.-To-See-the-World-in-a-Grain-of-Sand-by-Jane-Taylor-Weekes.-CREDIT-Greg-Trevise-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-INSTALLATION.-To-See-the-World-in-a-Grain-of-Sand-by-Jane-Taylor-Weekes.-CREDIT-Greg-Trevise-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-INSTALLATION.-To-See-the-World-in-a-Grain-of-Sand-by-Jane-Taylor-Weekes.-CREDIT-Greg-Trevise-350x525.jpg 350w" sizes="(max-width: 1707px) 100vw, 1707px" /><figcaption>To See the World in a Grain of Sand by Jane Taylor Weekes., £75 per orb </figcaption></figure>



Learnt a new word with the title of this print: Ash tree obligate 6 &#8211; Euzophera pinguis, by Alessandra Alexandroff. The little moth is &#8216;obligate&#8217; – relies totally &#8211; on ash trees, which commonly grow on the Mendip Hills and are now suffering greatly from ash dieback. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1754" src="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-GALLERY.-Ash-tree-obligate-6-by-Alessandra-Alexandroff-from-Somerset.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-70761" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-GALLERY.-Ash-tree-obligate-6-by-Alessandra-Alexandroff-from-Somerset.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-GALLERY.-Ash-tree-obligate-6-by-Alessandra-Alexandroff-from-Somerset-684x800.jpg 684w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-GALLERY.-Ash-tree-obligate-6-by-Alessandra-Alexandroff-from-Somerset-855x1000.jpg 855w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-GALLERY.-Ash-tree-obligate-6-by-Alessandra-Alexandroff-from-Somerset-342x400.jpg 342w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-GALLERY.-Ash-tree-obligate-6-by-Alessandra-Alexandroff-from-Somerset-768x898.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-GALLERY.-Ash-tree-obligate-6-by-Alessandra-Alexandroff-from-Somerset-1314x1536.jpg 1314w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-GALLERY.-Ash-tree-obligate-6-by-Alessandra-Alexandroff-from-Somerset-449x525.jpg 449w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption>Ash tree obligate 6 by Alessandra Alexandroff. £580</figcaption></figure>



Wells Five Miles by Nessie Ramm is a life-size copy of a real sign on the roundabout near Mendip Community Hospital. Painted in oils with the plants that grow there, it celebrates the beauty of road verges and their ecological value as corridors connecting habitats. Maybe ancient pilgrims to Wells Cathedral saw the same plants?



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1398" src="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-INSTALLATION-Wells-5-miles_Fotor.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-70772" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-INSTALLATION-Wells-5-miles_Fotor.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-INSTALLATION-Wells-5-miles_Fotor-800x746.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-INSTALLATION-Wells-5-miles_Fotor-1000x932.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-INSTALLATION-Wells-5-miles_Fotor-400x373.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-INSTALLATION-Wells-5-miles_Fotor-768x716.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-INSTALLATION-Wells-5-miles_Fotor-563x525.jpg 563w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption>Wells Five Miles by Nessie Ramm, £3,400</figcaption></figure>



Georgia Peskett was inspired to paint Travel Agent after taking photographs through a bus window in the pouring rain. She&#8217;s captured brilliantly the raindrops on the window, the blurriness of a grey rainy day and the vibrant promise of a holiday in sunnier climes.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1196" src="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-GALLERY.-Travel-Agent-by-Georgia-Peskett.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-70764" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-GALLERY.-Travel-Agent-by-Georgia-Peskett.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-GALLERY.-Travel-Agent-by-Georgia-Peskett-800x638.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-GALLERY.-Travel-Agent-by-Georgia-Peskett-1000x797.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-GALLERY.-Travel-Agent-by-Georgia-Peskett-400x319.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-GALLERY.-Travel-Agent-by-Georgia-Peskett-768x612.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-GALLERY.-Travel-Agent-by-Georgia-Peskett-658x525.jpg 658w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption>Travel Agent by Georgia Peskett, £4,000</figcaption></figure>



This piece is intriguing. Every night for 384 nights, and in sync with each night’s phase of the moon, Ruth Broadway stitched an individual ‘moon’ using dyed pocket handkerchief squares and circles of cotton fabric with Indian ink, to create By the Light of the Moon. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1073" src="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-GALLERY_Fotor.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-70808" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-GALLERY_Fotor.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-GALLERY_Fotor-800x572.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-GALLERY_Fotor-1000x715.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-GALLERY_Fotor-400x286.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-GALLERY_Fotor-768x549.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-GALLERY_Fotor-734x525.jpg 734w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption>By the Light of the Moon by Ruth Broadway, £8,000</figcaption></figure>



The exhibition continues out into the Camery gardens, where giant, painted, sculptural English flowers, as depicted in the Cathedral&#8217;s carvings, stained glass windows and embroidery, highlight the gardens as a place for quiet contemplation. If Not Now, When? by Jenna Fox encourages visitors to &#8216;take the time to smell the roses.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-INSTALLATION.-If-Not-Now-When-by-Jenna-Fox.-CREDIT-Greg-Trevise.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-70765" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-INSTALLATION.-If-Not-Now-When-by-Jenna-Fox.-CREDIT-Greg-Trevise.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-INSTALLATION.-If-Not-Now-When-by-Jenna-Fox.-CREDIT-Greg-Trevise-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-INSTALLATION.-If-Not-Now-When-by-Jenna-Fox.-CREDIT-Greg-Trevise-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-INSTALLATION.-If-Not-Now-When-by-Jenna-Fox.-CREDIT-Greg-Trevise-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-INSTALLATION.-If-Not-Now-When-by-Jenna-Fox.-CREDIT-Greg-Trevise-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/WAC-INSTALLATION.-If-Not-Now-When-by-Jenna-Fox.-CREDIT-Greg-Trevise-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption>If Not Now, When? by Jenna Fox. £500 per flower.</figcaption></figure>



While you&#8217;re there, don&#8217;t forget to see Antony Gormley&#8217;s DOUBT, installed on the Cathedral’s West front until February 2023.



<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.wellsartcontemporary.co.uk/" target="_blank">Wells Art Contemporary </a>(WAC), Wells Cathedral from Sat 30 July to Sun 28 August. Free entry.

Wells Art Contemporary 2022

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