Via Vitae: Quarr Abbey – An Artistic Response is a multi-site exhibition by The Ryde Art Collective (TRAC) taking place between 12th to 24th September 2024.
This unique and site-specific exhibition sensitively explores the history and meaning of well-known Benedictine Island landmark Quarr Abbey, bringing new artistic insight into a special and increasingly rare way of life – the Via Vitae of Quarr Abbey.
Project embraced by new artists
The Via Vitae project was originally scheduled for installation at Quarr in October 2020 but had to be postponed due to the Covid pandemic.
In the years that followed, a number of new artists joined TRAC. Each one chose to embrace this unique opportunity and helped to shape a project that became four years in the making.
Immersed in the world of Quarr
TRAC members have respectfully immersed themselves in the world of Quarr with rare opportunities to ‘go behind the scenes’ allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of the Abbey, the Benedictine way of life and the history of the site.
They enjoyed special access to the Archives, the Book Bindery, the Guest House and the ruins and were able to hear monks speak about their life at the Abbey.
A rich variety of artistic responses
The insights gained have produced a rich variety of artistic responses that have drawn inspiration from the Medieval ruins, the construction of the modern-day Abbey, the natural environment, Gregorian Chant, Benedictine teachings, past visitors to Quarr and even the tradition of bee keeping.
11 artists over three locations
In a first for TRAC, work will be installed simultaneously across three Island locations – the Quarr Abbey Art Gallery, the Quay Arts Clayden Gallery and Re:Box, the phone box gallery in Ryde.
Participating artists include:
- Mandy Bangerter
- Zoe Barker
- Gill Clarke
- Vincent Dupont-Blackshaw
- Fran Farrar
- Jan Frith
- Barbara Gowan
- Melissa Hoo-Kemp
- Sandy Kendall
- Violet Mareck and
- Fiona Schindler
Where and when
Via Vitae: Quarr Abbey – An Artistic Response by The Ryde Art Collective (TRAC) takes place between 12th to 24th September 2024 at the following venues:
- Quarr Abbey, Ryde, PO33 4ES (daily 10am-4pm)
- Quay Arts Clayden Gallery, Newport, PO30 5BD (daily 9am-5pm)
- Re:Box, Lind Street, Ryde, PO33 2LD (24hrs)
There will be a ‘Meet the Artists’ event in the Clayden Gallery at Quay Arts on Saturday 14th September, 2-4pm.
About TRAC
Founded in 2013, The Ryde Art Collective is a group of artists who work and exhibit together and whose aim is to show a range of stimulating contemporary art across diverse media.
Members are predominately Ryde-based, but artists are invited from across the Isle of Wight to join or show with the group according to exhibition opportunities and complimentary practice.
TRAC members work in a wide variety of media that include ceramic, sculpture, printing, textiles, painting, photography and digital media.
Find out more
For more information on TRAC visit the Facebook Page.
For more information on Quarr Abbey visit their website.
For more information on Quay Arts visit their website.
For more information on Re:Box visit the Facebook Page.
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