Media Coverage

Art-lovers in Kent need not travel beyond the county borders to encounter the work of artists known overseas. Among the 290 Kent artists opening their studios to the public in 2005 there are not only British artists whose work has been exhibited and bought abroad, but also artists from overseas who have set up their studios in the South East.

Among the artists opening their studios in the Ashford area are wildlife artists Stephen Message (Cranbrook), and Chris Furse (Smarden). Also in Smarden are Mandy Munroe and Vikky Furse. Olga van Dijke is in Mersham, Liz Garnett is in Brabourne Lees and Dominique Morgan in Ashford.

In the Canterbury area is New Zealand bourn textile artist Catherine Lawes while international painter and printmaker Michael Kennedy can be found in the Gravesend area.

In the Maidstone area is Ravindere Kalsi showing digitally montaged photos which explore the links between India and Britain.

As well as her nativie Netherlands, Aggy Boshoff has shown as far afield as Hong Kong and Spain, but you can see her work at her studio in Bitchet Green, Sevenoaks. Also in Sevenoaks, the work of Lizelle van den Bergh appears in many collections back home in South Africa, as well as America and Germany.

In Thanet is international printmaker Joyce Frances Marriott, whose studio is in Cliftonville. Born in Calcutta, Tonbridge-based Nick Hebditch has a passion for travel that informs his work. John Lacoux at Paddock Wood paints the architecture and landscapes of France and Italy.

A 56-page guide book is available free from libraries and tourist offices.

To receive a copy by post, send an A5 SAE (58p stamp) to Lee Oconnor, South East Open Studios, 14 Knaves Acre, Headcorn, Kent TN27 9TJ.