Oxfordshire
Artweeks promises
‘Amazing art in
wonderful places’.
What can we expect to see around Carterton?
Philippa Dickens
Esther Lafferty, Festival Director of Oxfordshire Artweeks, tells us all
about the open studios and pop-up exhibitions inviting you in from
21st-30th May, all within a five mile radius of Carterton clock tower.
There are around 50 artists and designer-makers in 15 venues within a five mile
radius of the town who are opening their doors and welcoming you in from 21st-
30th May, and visiting them you’ll find art in the broadest sense – from paintings
and photography, to pots, wood-turning, stained glass, textiles, jewellery and giant
metalwork! It’s a visual feast for art enthusiasts and a chance to see the interesting
and surprising creations of the talented people within the community who beaver
away behind closed doors for most of the year. You also get the chance to meet
many of the artists themselves, to talk to them about the materials they use and
how they use them, and discover their ideas and inspirations.
If you’re a Downton fan, or love colour and design, then you might start by heading
south to Bampton where you can locate Pip Shuckburgh who has painted many of
the scenes from the Downton Abbey series and turned them into mugs and other
memorabilia. In Bampton, there’s also The West Ox Arts Gallery in the Market Square
hosting a cheery exhibition called ‘Good Vibes’, and a pop-up exhibition and open
garden just round the corner where three professional artists present colourful silk
batik cushions, lamps and ceramic sculptures amongst other things.
If you’re a coast lover, then deep in the green countryside of Little Barrington, just
beyond Burford, you’ll find wonderful vivid oil paintings of the sea that capture the
depth and tranquillity of open spaces and high skies combined with the dynamism of
the sea in broad brushstrokes and
rich turquoises.
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