Exhibition
Artizan Collective Geopark Artists Residency Exhibition
Beneath the familiar landscapes of Torbay’s beaches, cliffs, and historic buildings lies a deeper story—one written in rock, shaped by water, and held in the memories of those who have lived here for centuries. The Geopark Artist Residency Programme has invited four artists to unearth these narratives, responding to Torbay’s UNESCO Global Geopark through a six-month creative journey that has engaged with geologists, conservators, historians, and local communities. Bringing together the works of James Murch, Laura Segan, Gill Melling, and Rachael Allain, this exhibition at Artizan Collective Gallery presents a collection of paintings, prints, photography, textiles, and installation that capture the hidden stories of our coastline, from its ancient geology to the fragile marine environments beneath the waves. Each of the four residency artists has approached Torbay’s landscape from a unique perspective, uncovering connections between nature, time, and human intervention. James Murch – Roots and Relics Through plein air painting, James documents the shifting balance between heritage conservation and natural reclamation, imagining a future where nature consumes Torre Abbey and questioning what happens when we leave historic sites to the elements. Laura Segan – Salt and Other Stories Using analogue photography and textiles, Laura examines the dual role of salt—a force of preservation and destruction—as it shapes the decay of Torre Abbey’s medieval render and influences photographic processes. Gill Melling – Cultural Entanglements in Marine Environments Gill’s mixed-media work explores the delicate ecosystems of Torbay’s waters, using found materials, print, and sculptural forms to question the impact of human activity on the marine environment and highlight our dependence on coastal biodiversity. Rachael Allain – Above and Below the English Riviera Through microscopic imaging and underwater filming, Rachael captures unseen aquatic worlds, from the seagrass meadows of Torbay’s Marine Conservation Zones to the microbial life thriving in sea caves, revealing the Geopark’s hidden ecosystems. This exhibition is more than a reflection of the past—it is an invitation to see the Geopark as a living, evolving landscape. Through the eyes of these artists, we are encouraged to look deeper, to recognise the fragile balance of conservation and change, and to engage with our surroundings in new ways. The Geopark Artist Residency Programme has been made possible by the Torbay Local Heritage Grant Scheme, with funding from National Lottery Heritage Fund, Arts Council England, Torbay Council, and the Friends of Torre Abbey. The programme is a partnership between Artizan Collective CIC, Torre Abbey, and the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark, designed to bring new artistic perspectives to the stories that define Torbay. This showcase coincides with the Geopark Festival Weekend, celebrating the global significance of our UNESCO designation and its connections to heritage, environment, and culture. We invite you to explore, reflect, and immerse yourself in these creative responses to Torbay’s extraordinary landscapes.
📅 25 May - 22 June 2025
📍 Artizan Collective
🔵 Coming Soon
Related
Exhibitions
Participating Artists
James Murch
James’s work is deeply inspired by the natural world, with a focus on light, colour, and space. His creative process is grounded in open-air painting across the landscapes of Torbay and Devon, capturing a strong sense of place through direct observation and thoughtful refinement. Primarily working in oil, he also explores printmaking and sculpture at his studio in Cockington Court. His sculptural pieces often feature hand-built natural forms, while his printmaking offers a more distilled response to various subjects through its direct, expressive approach. Encouraged by early sketching experiences and a strong connection to the land, James’s practice continues to evolve through experimentation and quiet reflection, often finding inspiration in understated, overlooked subjects. Based at his studio at Cockington Court, he has exhibited regularly, earning recognition from the Royal Institute of Oil Painters, and reaching the semi-finals of Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year.
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Exploring the Geopark Through Art
A Celebration of Torbay’s Living Heritage
Beneath the familiar landscapes of Torbay’s beaches, cliffs, and historic buildings lies a deeper story—one written in rock, shaped by water, and held in the memories of those who have lived here for centuries. The Geopark Artist Residency Programme has invited four artists to unearth these narratives, responding to Torbay’s UNESCO Global Geopark through a six-month creative journey that has engaged with geologists, conservators, historians, and local communities.
Bringing together the works of James Murch, Laura Segan, Gill Melling, and Rachael Allain, this exhibition at Artizan Collective Gallery presents a collection of paintings, prints, photography, textiles, and installation that capture the hidden stories of our coastline, from its ancient geology to the fragile marine environments beneath the waves.
Each of the four residency artists has approached Torbay’s landscape from a unique perspective, uncovering connections between nature, time, and human intervention.
James Murch – Roots and Relics
Through plein air painting, James documents the shifting balance between heritage conservation and natural reclamation, imagining a future where nature consumes Torre Abbey and questioning what happens when we leave historic sites to the elements.
Laura Segan – Salt and Other Stories
Using analogue photography and textiles, Laura examines the dual role of salt—a force of preservation and destruction—as it shapes the decay of Torre Abbey’s medieval render and influences photographic processes.
Gill Melling – Cultural Entanglements in Marine Environments
Gill’s mixed-media work explores the delicate ecosystems of Torbay’s waters, using found materials, print, and sculptural forms to question the impact of human activity on the marine environment and highlight our dependence on coastal biodiversity.
Rachael Allain – Above and Below the English Riviera
Through microscopic imaging and underwater filming, Rachael captures unseen aquatic worlds, from the seagrass meadows of Torbay’s Marine Conservation Zones to the microbial life thriving in sea caves, revealing the Geopark’s hidden ecosystems.
This exhibition is more than a reflection of the past—it is an invitation to see the Geopark as a living, evolving landscape. Through the eyes of these artists, we are encouraged to look deeper, to recognise the fragile balance of conservation and change, and to engage with our surroundings in new ways.
The Geopark Artist Residency Programme has been made possible by the Torbay Local Heritage Grant Scheme, with funding from National Lottery Heritage Fund, Arts Council England, Torbay Council, and the Friends of Torre Abbey. The programme is a partnership between Artizan Collective CIC, Torre Abbey, and the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark, designed to bring new artistic perspectives to the stories that define Torbay.
This showcase coincides with the Geopark Festival Weekend, celebrating the global significance of our UNESCO designation and its connections to heritage, environment, and culture.
We invite you to explore, reflect, and immerse yourself in these creative responses to Torbay’s extraordinary landscapes.
Exhibiting Artists
