West Dean Short Course tutors showcase their work
ENDS 16 September 2007

A diverse exhibition of work by short course tutors, featuring silver, sculpture, textiles and carvings by six internationally-renowned artists and craftspeople who teach at the college. Chosen for their extraordinary line, form and shape, all the works have been created by tutors at the college, some of whom also live and work locally. 

“The work in this summer’s exhibition shows the high standard and diversity of work produced by artists and makers who teach here at West Dean on short courses,” said Head of Short Courses Alison Baxter.

Profiles of the six internationally-renowned artists are as follows:

Worthing-based Christine Forbes is a painter and teacher who worked as a fashion designer and illustrator. In 2003 she graduated with an honours degree from Northbrook College, Worthing. She completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Drawing at Wimbledon School of Art and has been teaching for eight years.

Mark Cazalet: Well-known locally, Mark was born in London and studied at art schools as far afield as Falmouth, Paris and India, before returning to live in London again. Principally a painter, opportunities to work in stained glass, mosaic, wood and linocut, textile and engraved and etched glass have diversified his practice. The themes that preoccupy him range from urban landscapes to trees and portraits and his abiding interest is in the expressive potential of colour and a visual fascination with space.

Heather Belcher: Heather works with hand-made felt which, although it is an ancient material, is also an innovative fabric, and she has used it for knitting, weaving stitch and garment construction. Felt has a direct connection to the nomad and early body coverings; and with reference to this, her work evolves around issues of personal and cultural identities. Heather has exhibited widely and is a member of the '62 Group' of textile artists, and also the Contemporary Applied Arts Gallery in London.

Dave Regester: Dave Regester graduated in English and philosophy from Keele University. He set up his woodturning workshop in 1982 and demonstrates worldwide, teaches and writes on his craft. He has been a member of the Devon Guild of Craftsmen for many years and helped form the Association of Woodturners of Great Britain, serving on the Committee.

Paula Haughney: A full-time sculptor based in London, Paula recently carved spandrelles for Bromley Hall, a Tudor lodge, and had a solo exhibition at Uppark House in Hampshire. She studied Fine Art Sculpture at Portsmouth and in America, and has completed many commissions including for BP, Lee Valley Park and Homerton Hospital.

Jenny Edge: Jenny trained as a silversmith and enameller at the Sir John Cass College in London. She went on to learn the technique of anti-clastic raising from Heikki Seppa and Michael Good in Maine, USA, and has developed this in her work for both silversmithing and jewellery. This type of metal forming allows very three dimensional sculptural forms to be produced.

Exhibition Entry: Free
Exhibition Open: Daily 10.30am to 5pm

Entry to Gardens: £6.00 adults plus conc.
Gardens Open: Daily 10.30am to 5pm