by paul newman
Graphite on Bristol Board
h: 27 w: 19 d: 1 (cms).
Winspit Quarry has never failed to hold my fascination or intrigue, returning to it repeatedly for over 30 years. The weight of the limestone and force of the sea has shaped a place which seems unyielding, permanent and fixed yet each visit reveals small, barely-imperceptible shifts. In the eighteenth century there were more than two hundred quarries in Purbeck, Dorset. ‘Purbeck marble’ was quarried from the cliff face via caves and tunnels. The stone was loaded onto boats by crane and taken to London. The return journeys brought building masonry back to the area, acting as ballast, with many architectural features from the capital re-sited in Swanage. In their new surreal seaside location, they provided inspiration for Paul Nash, who lived in Swanage for a while. Winspit was used as a stone quarry until 1940. Remnants of buildings and loading ramps remain, but the ‘absent space’ of the quarry caves and tunnels provide an enigmatic trace of activity, now home to rare bat populations.
£1150
Please Note: If you are overseas and interested in a purchase, please note that there will be additional costs for postage and packaging added to this price. Feel free to enquire about this using the button below.