Award winning poets and artists highlight Rye Harbour Nature Reserve in a totally new way, in an anthology that connects on a deeply personal level with the wildlife, landscapes and human stories of the reserve.
“New Ways of Looking at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve” evolved from the writer in residence project, headed by Jane Lovell. The book presents a collection of poetry inspired by the reserve and illustrated with paintings, photographs, linocuts, monoprints and collages.
“The book came about after more than 12 months of writing on the reserve,” editor SC Morgan explained. “Under Jane’s guidance the poets walked the reserve through all weather and in every season. They came in contact with the abundant birds, flowers and insects, they explored the human histories of the place and they speculated on what the future might hold for nature in these uncertain times.”
Approaching the local art community resulted in 14 artists sharing their work, all of which was created in response to the reserve. “We are very grateful to the artists who participated, and thrilled with the quality of the work included,” Morgan continued. “It’s a really beautiful book, filled with a huge range of styles which, we hope, will allow readers to enjoy the reserve in a new way.”
The Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve have funded the project.
Tor Lawrence, chief executive of Sussex Wildlife Trust said, “This is a wonderful book and exactly the type of initiative which we are proud to support. Now that the Rye Harbour discovery centre has opened its doors, we hope more initiatives like this will enable a wide range of people to celebrate and take action for our precious Sussex wildlife.”
The anthology costs £15, it will be on sale from September 19 in the discovery centre shop and elsewhere, and profits from the book are going directly to help fund activities in the discovery centre, which is a joint project between Sussex Wildlife Trust and the Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve.
Image Credits: Sussex Wildlife Trust .