Kent Year of Art & Culture
This year, Kent is leading the way in culture-led regeneration. The county's wealth of history and tradition, mixed with fantastic landscapes and scenery is seeing Kent's cultural offering drawing thousands of visitors from around the world. Kent is jam-packed with world-class festivals, events, exhibitions and new museums featuring internationally-recognised artists, ensuring Kent as a must-see destination for art and culture enthusiasts.
Lookout - Folkestone Triennial 30 August – 2 November 2014
One of the most ambitious public art projects presented in the UK opened this weekend. The critically-acclaimed Folkestone Triennial is now in its third year, with 2014 titled 'Lookout'. This 10-week event, curated by Professor Lewis Biggs OBE commissions internationally recognised artists to create art for public space, with some of the artworks becoming permanent features of the landscape. The line-up for this year's festival is incredible, with the likes of Yoko Ono, Andy Goldsworthy and Pablo Bronstein commissioned. This ambitious process is replicated in only a handful of outstandingly creative festival-exhibitions around the world, including Münster (Germany), Echigo-Tsumari (Japan), and SITE Santa Fé (New Mexico). The Triennial amongst other contemporary culture is breathing new life into Folkestone's Creative Quarter with funky shops and cafes springing up alongside artists' studios. folkestonetriennial.org.uk
Turner Contemporary, Margate
Mondrian and Colour and Spencer Finch until 21 September
Making headlines across the world, the Turner Contemporary gallery in Margate continues to excel in bringing art and culture to the Garden of England. This summer has seen the gallery hosting Mondrian and Colour, an exclusive UK viewing of the first major exhibition to consider the significance of colour during Piet Mondrian's early career. Mondrian and Colour explores Mondrian's (1872-1944) practice, tracing the painter's use of colour from figuration to early abstraction. Bringing together around 40 paintings by the artist from the Gemeentemuseum Den Haag and other collections in Europe and the USA, the exhibition will demonstrate that Mondrian's abstract works were not simply mathematical exercises in form but also expressed his search for a new universal harmony.
Also exhibiting is work by American artist Spencer Finch. His latest exhibition titled “The Skies can't keep their Secret” reflects the changing coastal light of Margate and other sites. The exhibition will be accompanied by a group of JMW Turner's watercolours selected by Finch from the Tate collection.
Krijn de Konig: Dwelling 1 August 2014 - 2 November 2014
A new artwork by Dutch artist Krijn de Koning, made especially for Turner Contemporary's Summer of Colour festival and Folkestone Triennial 2014. The colourful architectural labyrinthine walkway is in two different outdoor locations in Kent: Turner Contemporary's South Terrace, adjacent to the gallery, and within a Victorian grotto on Folkestone seafront. The work appears simultaneously in both locations this summer as part of Turner Contemporary's Summer of Colour festival and Lookout, the third Folkestone Triennial. turnercontemporary.org
The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge, Canterbury 8th August – 2nd November
Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize - a unique opportunity to see sixty new portraits by some of the most exciting contemporary photographers from around the world. Through editorial, advertising and fine art prints, the exhibition explores a range of themes, styles and approaches to the photographic portrait, from formal commissioned images of famous faces to more spontaneous and intimate moments capturing friends and family. canterbury.co.uk/Beaney
The Crown Gallery, Margate
A magnificent new art gallery, The Crown Gallery is located in the centre of Margate Old Town and Arts quarter. With an evolving exhibition of contemporary paintings, prints, ceramics, photography and sculpture from South Coast Artists and artisans, repeat visits are a must. Exclusive Edition Art Prints, postcards and canvas art as well as big ticket works from the South Coast and London are available. Only 100 meters from the Turner Contemporary gallery, it's thoroughly recommended for those seeking inspiration by the sea and an afternoon of artistic indulgence. thecrowngallery.com
The Viking Gallery, Cliftonville
The Viking Gallery is a new and exciting cutting edge development and exhibition space in Margate's up-and-coming Cliftonville. Opened in May 2014, this beautiful art deco building is just a short walk from the seafront and other local attractions including the Turner Contemporary and the Walpole Bay Hotel. Having used the skills of tradesmen and artisans almost entirely from Thanet and its surrounds, this new space will provide the opportunity for all artists - local, international, emerging and established, to show their work in the light that Turner described as the “ loveliest in all Europe”. In an earlier life, the building was used as a Turkish Bath and the old iron furnace with its rust red frontage has been retained as a reminder of the structure's heritage. thevikinggallery.com
Dreamland Arcade Visitor Centre, Margate
The new Visitor and Learning Centre opened in the old seafront arcade (next to Dreamland cinema) in Spring 2014. The centre will evoke the atmosphere of the iconic Dreamland amusement park and a taste of things to come. It is planned that Dreamland Amusement Park will reopen for the 2015 season as the world's first amusement park to feature historical and thrilling rides. dreamlandmargate.com
For further information on events in Kent go to visitkent.co.uk.
