Gordon Field
98 Allington Close
Taunton
TA1 2NF
(01823) 254 695

Gordon Field is a photographer and environmental artist who lives in Taunton, a stone’s throw from the Blackdown Hills.  The starting point for Gordon’s project was the landscape of the Blackdown Hills – a landscape of farmland, forestry and woodland - which offered the artist an opportunity to explore certain themes in his work in greater depth.  He was, for example, interested in tree formations within the landscape.

In addition, in November 2002, he had made links with a new group of artists in the Blackdowns, the Creative Arts Forum, who were keen to play a part in making creative links with the Blackdown communities that would be educational and promotional.  Allied to this was the proposed development of the Northern Ridge Route between 2004 and 2008 that would be managed by the Blackdown Hills Rural Partnership – a collective of local authorities, conservation groups and environmental agencies.   The involvement of artists at this early stage could provide useful feedback on the Route and where to site potential sculptures and art works.

“Blackdown Journey” was managed by SAW
Ltd in partnership with the BHRP who offered help-in-kind support in
terms mainly of staff time and promotional help.

Gordon’s proposal included the following elements:

• To undertake a photographic survey that would explore the physical
  elements of the proposed Ridge Route, identifying paths and sites for
  signage, benches, stiles and sculptures.
• The active involvement of local communities and, importantly, artists in the Blackdown Hills in order to engage them in the development of the Ridge Route. 
• The development of a piece of new work inspired by his research, above.

The original project proposal was designed to enhance the work and practice of Gordon Field and to research the development of the Ridge Route.  However, Gordon’s hard work and single-minded commitment to the project has turned a personal journey into a crusade for the Ridge Route and has resulted in a project that has far exceeded the parameters of the artist’s own proposal.

The short-term outcomes are as follows:

• The development of a working relationship between SAW and the BHRP. As a result of Gordon’s work, SAW were employed by BHRP to host and employ
  an Art and Craft Sector Workers Somerset artist, The recommendations
  made as part of Gordon’s survey of the Route were integrated into the
  recent Heritage Lottery Bid for the Ridge Route. 
• A collection of photographs, which offers early suggestions on the
  possible siting of works of, art and craft and is a valuable archive
  for the Route.
• The support and development of a local artists group, through Gordon’s post.
• The active involvement of local artists in the Route at the earliest stages.
• The creative interaction between artists and local people through walks and workshops.
• A body of new work from Gordon Field, and the expansion of his practice.
• The promotion of the Route and the Landmarks Project to audiences through an exhibition, a web showcase, a display for farmers markets, walks and workshops etc.

The longer-term outcomes include:

• New funds to pay local artists to develop temporary pieces on the Route alongside local people in 2004 and SAW 2004.
• The continuing development of the Creative Arts Forum.
• The development of the Ridge Route by BHRP and Forest Enterprises in
  collaboration with SAW and Somerset artists between 2004 and 2008.