New immersive art exhibition in Glastonbury opening soon

The exhibition will be part of the Somerset Art Weeks Festival and will be held in the ZigZag building from September 21 to October 6.

The project, curated by artists Fiona Campbell and Jan Ollis, seeks to examine the ancient and layered history of the Mendip and Somerset Levels, landscapes that have co-evolved with humankind for millennia.

The exhibition aims to tackle climate change issues, focusing particularly on local flooding and water pollution.

Within the As Old as the Hills exhibition, works from ten different artists across diverse disciplines will be showcased.

Work created by Glastonbury community members will feature in the exhibition (Image: Richard Tomlinson)

These include large-scale sculptural installations, textile works, assemblage, film, and performance art.

The artists involved represent locations from across the country, including Somerset.

Ms Campbell said: "I’m interested in placing art in unusual spaces that bring their own atmosphere.

"The Zig Zag is unique; light floods in through long banks of windows which span both lengths of the Bauhaus building.

"I’m thrilled to be using it as a residency and exhibition space, collaborating with such a great selection of artists."

Fiona Campbell with maquettes at ZigZag for As Old as the Hills (Image: Russell Sach)

Workshops held throughout the summer have enabled community members to contribute to the event.

Pieces from these workshops will be included in the exhibition.

Ms Ollis said: "We’ve been delighted with the level of engagement by mixed ages and abilities in our workshops so far: at Collett Park Day, West Pennard and St Benedict’s C of E Junior Schools, Avalon Marshes, and a Sweet Track Making Workshop."

Freeny Yianni, owner of CLOSE Gallery and co-chair of SAW, said: "Taking on the role of both curators and artists, Fiona Campbell and Jan Ollis have brought together a dynamic new exhibition in the inspirational Zig Zag Building Glastonbury.

"The show explores ideas around truly unique and fascinating histories of the Somerset Levels and showcases cutting-edge artists that have responded to our fragile local landscape, with this invigorating multimedia exhibition."

Jan Ollis and Fiona Campbell, curators of As Old as the Hills (Image: Russell Sach)

Further information about the exhibition and upcoming workshops can be found on its Instagram page (@as.old.as.the.hills).

The As Old as the Hills exhibition has been organised with the support of The Arts Society, Gane Trust, Shepton Mallet Town Council, Somerset Art Works and private donors.

Artists involved in the exhibition include Madi Acharya Baskerville, Nikki Allford, Fiona Campbell, Duncan Cameron, David Kefford, Di Milstein, Penelope O’Gara, Catriona Robertson, Jan Ollis and Richard Tomlinson.

The exhibition will launch with special events on Saturday, September 21 from 10am to 5pm.

Admission to the main exhibition is free.