A haven for culture
The unique charm of Cuckmere Haven has made it a muse for painters, writers, photographers and filmmakers from across the world for many years. The thriving artistic culture of this idyllic spot continues to grow with an annual music festival attracting international performers, a writer-in-residence programme, and regular events, arts festivals and historical tours throughout the year.
Find out about the annual Lapwing music festival in August here:
lapwingfestival.com
Find out about the Summer art open house festival here: artwavefestival.org
Read about local artists and photographers below.
Lyndsey Smith
I am an artist with a passion for drawing and painting in watercolour, to bring life to everyday scenes with busy people and bright colours. Buildings feature in most of my work, be they cathedrals, pubs, houses or shops, with a nod to their history and the stories held within.
Walking Lines
As the towns and cities closed their doors in 2020, the countryside took on a new meaning to us all.
Daily lockdown walks on the South Downs close to home, and then to the coast when we were allowed to travel, provided opportunity to pause and take in the view.
Sketching on postcards in a continuous line, barely glancing at the paper, inspired carefree lively images, which I then worked from in my home studio along with reference photographs.
I have aimed to remain loose and free with the application of my preferred medium, watercolour, alongside the occasional addition of wax, pen and watercolour pencil.
See more of my lockdown sketches on my Instagram page @lyndseysmithart
“Over the last year, at the times I was able to visit Cuckmere Haven, I saw the end of the footpath beside the cottages disappear with the tides. A spot where I sat and sketched in Spring 2020, was no longer there by Winter. I am keen therefore, to support the fundraising efforts of Cuckmere Haven SOS, to ensure that this iconic view remains to inspire future artists, photographers, and lovers of the landscape.”
- Lyndsey Smith
Andrew Dandridge
The Artist - Andrew Dandridge, is a successful landscape and seascape artist with sales in excess of 3,500 original watercolour paintings, a burgeoning greetings card business and a growing demand for his signed limited edition prints.
Yet despite this success he remains modest and unassuming, clearly driven by his passion for both the English countryside and all things marine, and a genuine desire to share his achievements with the growing number of his followers.
It is this sense of sharing that motivates him and acts as a catalyst for him to increase the occasions where he is able to exhibit his work and talk face to face with the public.
“I learnt recently that the view of Cuckmere Haven with the Coastguard Cottages is the No 1 screen saver in Japan! It is known the world over and has been used in numerous films and TV programs. Why is that?”
Eric Slater
An artist who produced more than 30 colour woodcuts between 1926 and the outbreak of the Second World War.
Many depict scenes near his home in Seaford, East Sussex, where he lived for most of his adult life.
A frail, only child, Eric Slater was born in 1896 and spent his early years with his parents, grandmother and two servants in a large house in Hampstead, London. His father, Thomas, a successful silversmith and partner in the firm Aldwinkle and Slater, died when Eric was eight.
Eric moved with his mother and grandmother to Sussex where he studied at The Hastings School of Art.
Eric's prints, cards and book (Slater's Sussex) are available at www.ericslater.co.uk
“Cuckmere Haven inspires painters, printmakers and photographers. Easels, sketchbooks and cameras are in constant use. Both amateurs and professionals have tried to capture its spirit in different seasons and lights”
Matt Bode Photography
Act now to save Cuckmere Haven
Every penny goes towards saving the haven for the next generation.
Breakwater by Lucy Mutter
Coastguard Family
Sophie and Lucy Mutter are Great-Granddaughters of John Ayres, the last Coastguard stationed at Cuckmere Haven. Their family has been creating art inspired by the landscape there for three generations, some of which goes on sale at the Artwave Festival, to raise money for Cuckmere Haven SOS.
Cottages by Janet Mutter
Cuckmere by Sophie Mutter
www.wearemountain.com
Cuckmere Beach Flora by R Ayres
Cuckmere Haven by Kevin Chang
View to the Sisters by Ed Watts
www.edwatts.co.uk
Flo Snook
Already the cottages in my drawing are threatening to collapse into the sea; this recent spate of coastal erosion has been caused by our increasingly stormy winters.
Recently I was approached by a charity called ‘Cuckmere Haven SOS’, who want to raise money to attempt to save the cliffs and cottages (and this historic view) from collapsing. In their campaign they explain: “The funds, expertise and effort required to secure this historic site is not great but because of The Government’s policy of “Coastal Retreat” will allow nature and the process of gradual or even sudden erosion to take its course, it has now become greater than local pockets can afford.”
Although I support this campaign and will feel terribly sad to see this view literally crumble into the sea, I feel a strong sense of inevitability in Nature’s power; we can challenge her only for so long.
Flo's work is available to buy online at www.flosnook.co.uk
“This is a special place where I love to walk, sketch and paint.”
Tweaky Blinders Photography
Kelly Hall
“I am a Sussex-based artist designer, and my artwork is a celebration of the great British landscape.
This iconic view from Seaford Head, looking out across the coastguards' cottages towards Cuckmere Haven and the Seven Sisters cliffs, is one of my favourite local Sussex landmark sites - this is a special place where I love to walk, sketch and paint. With my work, it is my aim to create classic, elegant images with a real sense of place.”
Kelly's artwork is available to buy online at www.kellyhalldesigns.com
Photo by Ed Watts
Keith Pettit
Keith Pettit is an artist, printmaker and sculptor who lives and works in Sussex. He was Artist in Residence at the Cable Hut during the summer of 2019.
“Three summer weeks accompanied by the sound of waves lulling gently onto the pebbled beach, happy families playing, sun glittering on the sea, bouncing light onto the majestic white cliffs. The epicentre of what it is to be Sussex - it felt like my art and creativity was Home.”
Tom Benjamin
The coastguard cottages at Cuckmere Haven seem to lend a greater sense of scale to the vast landscape of the estuary beach and cliffs. They also occupy an important part in our coastal history.
The view of the cottages looking east with the seven sisters in the background is one of the finest in England.
To see more of Tom's work please visit www.tombenjamin.co.uk
“The view at Cuckmere is simply unique.”
