Showcase
WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL has a total of five stonemasons, one of the largest at a Cathedral in this country. This is not surprising considering that, in addition to the ongoing work they continue which goes back centuries to when the Cathedral was first built, they have more recently also been involved in conservation as part of its £ 20.5 million capital works campaign.
Results of that work have recently been revealed in the form of the complete conservation and cleaning of two of the walls of the South Transept.
Whilst up there, the masons discovered a heavily weathered statue, right at the top. It was so badly weathered that it was not possible to repair so one of the masons took on the task of recreating it,
based on the sort of design that would have been used centuries ago when it was originally carved. There was a special twist, however, the facial features on the statue are based on those of the outgoing Dean – who retired on July 14!
Stonemasonry tends to be a hidden craft, often taking place in workshops or high spaces, and sometimes, when completed, not even visible from ground level. However, it is an ancient craft which has meant that our nation now boasts some of the finest architecture in the world. Whilst a few of the techniques used today are modern, most are using similar tools to those centuries ago.
Stonemasons from around the UK visited Winchester Cathedral for the first of what is hoped will be a regular event in the Cathedral’ s calendar recently.
Many of the 20 stonemasons who visited from cathedrals around the country to participate in the recent stone carving competition are awardwinners, experts in this specialist, age-old craft.
The masons carved publicly in the Cathedral’ s Inner Close, where visitors watched them at work, found out about stonemasonry, tried carving and enjoyed a festival atmosphere.
The finished works were placed on display, prior to a public auction.
Scripted
Entries for short film scripts running under 15 minutes are now being accepted by The
Hampshire Picture Company.
If you are a writer, director, producer or a combination of all, you will need to provide a four sentence pitch of your film. If the pitch has potential, your script will be invited for submission.
Following consideration, the successful applicant will receive support from The Hampshire Picture Company to produce their film. Entry closes on August 31 and the winner will be announced on September 30.
Contact admin @ thehampshirepicturecompany. co. uk for full details. Note: funding is not provided and it’ s available for Hampshire residents only.
Aesthetica Art Prize
THE Aesthetica Art Prize 2016 is open for entries. Now in its 10th year, the Prize presents an opportunity for emerging and established artists to showcase their work to new international audiences and further their engagement in the art world.
The categories for entry are: photographic and digital art; painting and drawing; three dimensional design and sculpture, and video, installation and performance. Submissions close on August 31. To enter go to www. aestheticamagazine. com / art-prize / enter.
Drawn from Life
THIS Arts Council collection is being exhibited in Winchester Discovery Centre, at Jewry Street, until August 21.
Artists have been drawing the figure for centuries, from carefully composed life drawings to people caught unawares at leisure or work.
This exhibition brings together some of the finest drawings in the Arts Council Collection, with work on display from more than 40 artists, including Henry Moore, Lucian Freud, Walter Sickert and David Hockney.
www. residentmagazine. co. uk Resident 23