A new piece of artwork has gone on display on the Sidmouth Wallspace billboard as part of the Winter Lights Festival, starting this Friday (February 9).
The work titled Priceless is by eARTh Vader, a collective of artists who anonymously create artwork representing our socio-economic relationship with the natural world.
It conveys the idea that the world is now seen merely as a commodity to be consumed and traded for mankind's’ own personal gain.
It is the first exhibit in the trail of artworks featuring in Sidmouth School of Art’s first Winter Lights Festival, taking place on Friday, February 9 and Saturday 10, Thursday 15, Friday 16 and Saturday 17 from 5.30pm to 8.00pm.
There are 14 installations created by lead artist Zac Greening, other artists, the Repair Café, Sidmouth Primary School and Sidmouth College. They are the artists’ responses to the festival theme Save Our Seas, inspired by the challenges of climate change, and aimed to stimulate debate and action.
A festival map provides a guide to festival goers from the billboard, along the Ham border into the Sensory Garden, along the Riverside Walkway and to the end of the Ham for food, drinks and music.
A postcard featuring Priceless and the map will be available to buy as a keepsake and in support of the festival.
Coco Hodgkinson from Sidmouth School of Art said: “Everyone is invited to wrap up warm and head out to join us with friends and family - true Scandinavian style whatever the weather, to get outdoors, try something new and take a look at the artworks.”
Work by Sidmouth College photography students will feature as a projection in the Sensory Garden.
Sidmouth College teacher Mrs Fry, Head of Art and Photography, said: “Year 10 students exploring the theme of Our World, reflecting on the environment and coastline around them and influenced by the work of photographers Aaron Siskind and Raul Reiffer, have produced their own responses. They are excited for their work to be exhibited in an unusual way, in an outdoor space, in this new innovative event for Sidmouth.”
The project is supported by Sidmouth School of Art and a range of funders including Creative East Devon Fund, Sidmouth Town Council, Sidmouth Hotels, Potburys of Sidmouth, Voyage Travel Marketing and Sidmouth Chamber of Commerce, with in-kind support from Fords South West.
More details about the project can also be found on the Sidmouth School of Art website, where donations can be made to the festival. Cash can also be accepted at the event.
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