Art installation: Giant artworks by contemporary artists pop up in Newhaven to celebrate Eric Ravilious' paintings inspired by the town

Towner Eastbourne hosting the Turner Prize 2023 this autumn.

Warm sunny days may be eluding us much of this summer in the south of England, but if one is able to explore the coastal towns of East Sussex along the English Channel, do stop over the Towner Gallery in Eastbourne, known for its vast collection of modern British art, not least the "largest and most significant body of work" by the famous British artist Eric Ravilious (1903 - 1942) who was celebrated for his exceptional talent in capturing the essence and the unique charm of the East Sussex landscape.  The undulating hills, chalk cliffs, and the play of light over the sea were recurrent themes in his work.

With a rich maritime heritage, offering a unique blend of natural beauty, Newhaven has had inspired many artists to convey its landscape and unique characteristics on canvas.

After absorbing the wonders of Ravilious at Towner Eastbourne, do take a short 10-mile drive (or a quick hop over by bus) to the nearby seaside town of Newhaven, not only because it is where one can board a cross-channel ferry to Dieppe in France, but also because the charming coastal town situated at the mouth of the River Ouse is also one of Ravilious' favourite East Sussex places where he drew profound inspiration for his paintings.

Now starting this August until the end of October, Towner Eastbourne supported by the Newhaven Enterprise Zone has launched "Follow Ravilious - Newhaven Views" a public art project and trail featuring renowned contemporary artists who have created paintings in response to Eric Ravilious' best loved images of Newhaven.  

The artists: Emily Allchurch, Mark Titchner, Jo Lamb and Charlotte Prodger - have been inspired by Ravilious and the modern Newhaven landscape and their creations have been blown up to giant billboard-scale artworks of approximately 20 square metres each. 

First stop on the "Follow Ravilious - Newhaven Views" trail is The Sidings.
 an events and hospitality space by the swing bridge.
Hoisted on  the  façade of the Marine Workshops/UTC building facing an open community courtyard are (right) Eric Ravilious' Channel Steamer Leaving Harbour, 1934, alongside Emily Allchurch's Return to Port (After Ravilious) 2023.
For the art trail map and more information on the artworks, click HERE.

On the "Follow Ravilious - Newhaven Views" trail*, the four artists' works are installed within the landscape of Newhaven; each is mounted and displayed prominently alongside a large reproduction of Ravilious' image of Newhaven, completing a dialogue between Newhaven's past, present and future, and exploring the town's intersecting marine, rural and industrial landscape.  

The location of the first stop on the  trail is The Sidings, an events and hospitality space by the swing bridge and near the Newhaven Town train station. Here hoisted on  the façade of the UTC building facing an open community courtyard are (right) Eric Ravilious' Channel Steamer Leaving Harbour, 1934, alongside Emily Allchurch's Return to Port (After Ravilious) 2023.

Artist Emily Allchurch has been living and working in Hastings, East Sussex since 2015.
Emily said her work is all about recreating and updating historical artworks by digitally collaging photographs she had taken of contemporary life.  While Ravilious’ painting: Channel Steamer Leaving Harbour (1935), depicts the bright cabin lights and billowing steam from the ship’s funnel suggest an anticipation about the voyage ahead, Emily said she hopes her own interpretation of the scene "captures the same drama, witnessing the arrival of the Transmanche ferry, having completed its similar crossing back from Dieppe," Obviously the port and ferry have changed over the intervening 90 years.
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The second stop on the art trail is Denton Island, on the banks of the River Ouse, depicting Eric Ravilious' James and the Foremost Prince, 1934  on the right, with artist Mark Titchner's Blessed Are The Eyes That See The Things We See, 2023 on the left.

Second stop on the art trail is Denton Island, on the banks of the River Ouse, where Eric Ravilious' James and the Foremost Prince, 1934 (right) has been erected alongside artist Mark Titchner's Blessed Are The Eyes That See The Things We See, 2023.

London-born Mark Titchner, who was also nominated for the Turner Prize in 2006, focuses on an exploration of words and language in his work. In reference to ‘Ravilious’ artwork that celebrated the collision of the East Sussex landscape with modern industry Mark said he wondered if it was possible to celebrate such a landscape today without considering the environmental consequences of modern industry.
He said in his artwork, he adapts a biblical text that is inscribed upon the gravestone of Ravilious and his wife Tirzah Garwood moving the emphasis of the sentence away from individual perception towards a collective reflection.

The third stop is located in the Newhaven town centre, at the Dacre Road Car Park.  Installed here are Eric Ravilious' Lighthouses at Newhaven 1935 alongside Charlie Prodger's Vision Machines (Cliff), 2023.

Eric Ravilious' Lighthouses at Newhaven 1935 
Courtesy of Towner Eastbourne.

Charlie Prodger's Vision Machines (Cliff), 2023.  Courtesy of Towner Eastbourne.
Charlie Prodger is a Glasgow-based artist working with moving image, writing, sculpture and print-making.
Charlie was the winner of the 2018 Turner Prize and represented Scotland at the 2019 Venice Biennale. She received the 2017 Paul Hamlyn Award and 2014 Margaret Tait Award.
 

The fourth stop on the trail is in the open space outside The Hope Inn, a stone's throw from the Newhaven Fort.  On the day of our visit, Jo Lamb's Early Morning, Newhaven, 2018 was just being hoisted while Eric Ravilious' Newhaven Harbour, 1936 was yet to be set up.  

Due to adverse weather conditions in the whole of Southeast in recent weeks, the installation of the third and final fourth stop on the trail had been delayed, and were not up on the day of photography for this article.

Jo Lamb's Early Morning, Newhaven, 2018 was being hoisted meticulously against strong winds on the day this photograph was taken.  The location is near The Hope Inn, in Lunette Battery, West Pier, Newhaven.

  

Artist Jo Lamb, now based in Lewes, had previously lived in Newhaven for five years and still continues to paint Newhaven subjects: the harbour and ferry, the industrial activity and the newbuild homes under construction.  Jo said she has painted Newhaven more than any other place in Sussex and it is a place I return to in my art. Her painting "Early Morning, Newhaven" was done in 2018, capturing the scenes, the birds, the butterflies, along with the large boats and ferry that come in and out of the harbour.

A selection of mixed media works by Seahaven Academy students.

Eric Ravilious' connection to Newhaven was deeply rooted in the town's coastal character, and through his paintings, he celebrated the unique beauty of this coastal town, immortalizing its charm and heritage for generations to come.  Thus also installed as part of the trail are works by young students of the Seahaven Academy who have captured modern day Newhaven activities in their collaborative work, following the footsteps of Ravilious and seeking his viewpoints.  These are on display near The Sidings.

Corinne Day, Programme Director at Newhaven Enterprise Zone said Newhaven is undergoing a renaissance, bursting with creativity and the art project will hopefully attract new residents, businesses and investment to the town.  She said, "Newhaven is building a reputation on the South Coast as a hub for creatives, so Newhaven Enterprise Zone was delighted to support this important art trail ... We look forward to welcoming visitors to our port town for this important celebration of Ravilious as they enjoy the opportunity to be surrounded by the Sussex scenery he depicted."

Joe Hill, Towner' s Director and CEO, said the project enables some of Towner's world class collection of Ravilious' Newhaven paintings to sit within the spaces they depict, such as the sea view from the Sussex Coast as well as responding to the industry in the area.  "We are delighted to partner on this project and to showcase four of the most spectacular works by Ravilious in this brand new context and at such an exciting scale.  I look forward to welcoming audiences to Sussex to experience these works in Newhaven, as part of the exciting seasons we have ahead, including this and the (2023) Turner Prize at Towner Eastbourne."

* For the "Follow Ravilious - Newhaven Views" trail - from  August 12 to October 29 2023 - click HERE for the trail map and more information on the artworks.

Photos by Lucia Carpio

Ravilious had a significant connection to Eastbourne and Newhaven, both artistically and personally. 

In the early 1930s, Ravilious began teaching at the Eastbourne School of Art, a role that allowed him to engage with budding artists while also deepening his connection to the town.  Eastbourne's coastal landscapes, along with the nearby South Downs, greatly influenced Ravilious' artistic output. He found inspiration in the unique combination of sea and countryside, which he often depicted in his watercolours, incorporating the area's rolling landscapes and the unique flora and fauna of the region.

Ravilious was also deeply influenced by the coastal town of Newhaven, and it played a significant role in shaping his paintings and artistic style. Newhaven provided him with a wealth of inspiration due to its  coastal location and maritime heritage. 

Ravilious was drawn to the town's bustling harbour which lies within walking distance of Furlongs, home of artist and friend Peggy Angus. Maritime themes can be seen in many of his paintings, where he skillfully portrayed the interplay of water, sky, and human activity.  Ravilious was also intrigued by the quaint charm of Newhaven's streets and buildings. The town's distinct architecture and its relationship with the sea found their way into his artwork. He often depicted the coastal cottages, the town's beachfront, and its unique atmosphere, capturing the essence of Newhaven's coastal character.

During World War II, Ravilious was commissioned as a war artist and was stationed in Newhaven where he documented scenes of wartime activities in and around the town.  Ravilious' work showed his ability to find beauty in the ordinary,  depicting everyday scenes, such as industrial areas, machinery, and buildings, showcasing Newhaven's blend of maritime industry and scenic beauty, elevating them to a level of artistic appreciation.