In July 2021, Sam Pooley-Stride unveiled Seas Of The Moon exhibition inspired by the Lunar Maria. Using a range of media and techniques, from delicate watercolours to heavy acrylics and from graphic circles to vibrant strokes, the collection explored the notion of perceiving something in nothing.
‘Gaze up at the moon and, set against the bright highlands, you will see the large shadowy areas created by volcanic lava that make up the lowlands. These dark areas are known as the Lunar Maria, or seas of the moon, so called due to early astronomers mistaking them for bodies of water and declaring them to be seas or lakes.’ – Sam Pooley-Stride
Following on from her (sadly cut short) show in Shrewsbury last year, Sam is back with Seas Of The Moon Too, this time working with Soden Collection to bring her exhibition to Soulton Hall, where it will be curated both in the converted barns and on the land itself. Expanding on the original concepts, Sam has taken further inspiration from the Long Barrow, early cosmology and rural connections to the moon.
The exhibition shall start Friday 18th March 2022, where there shall be a private view on the Friday evening. Invites will be given out to individual’s who are a part of Soden Collection’s mailing list so it is advised, to those interested, to sign up to the mailing list ahead of time. The exhibition shall be open to the public on Saturday 19th March, where those attending will be able to meet the artist and be involved in screen printing workshops. On the Sunday 20th March a grand finale of this immersive exhibition will take place, during the Spring Equinox. This will be a part of a ticket packaged that is currently available to purchase, however, this comes with a limited amount of spaces.
The package will include a guided tour of the Long Barrow at Soulton Hall, where the exhibition will take place, with the artworks that will inhabit it. Soulton Hall is known as a Cherished Ancient Manor in the green heart of Shropshire; located, more specifically, in Wem, Shrewsbury. Since the ease of the previous lockdown, they have built an earthen amphitheatre that continues to host a variety of welcoming and wonderful events – Seas Of The Moon Too being no exception.
During this event, a silent auction will accompany a Michelin plated, Docket No.33 experience. Described as a modern British restaurant, Docket No.33 offer a set Tasting Menu that is created by Stuart Collins. The menu utilises the incredible local ingredients that they have surrounding them, as well as having some international influence. On this occasion, Docket No.33 will serve a uniquely created and inspired, ‘Seas Of The Moon’ menu. Each invitation for the event will be hand painted, doubling up as a frame-able painting, along with an exclusive NFT.
Funds raised from the silent auction and a limited edition print, that will be available to purchase on the day, shall be in aid of mental health and suicide prevention charities.
