A location made for artists
Inspection Pit is based in West Sussex, an area with a history for its popularity with artists and creatives. The foundation’s location along with the building’s architectural structure, spatial configuration and theatrical atmosphere provide a highly creative environment for making and presenting contemporary art.
History
The idea for Inspection Pit was inspired by a weathered threshing barn. Previously a garage, its fate took an unexpected turn when new owners embarked on the challenge to resurrect its structure. Driven by an appreciation for artistic expression, the barn was transformed into an unconventional exhibition space.
The foundation’s distinct name echoes the building’s history. Once home to a collection of vintage cars, the garage was complete with a sunken hole in the floor - the inspection pit. In its new context, the name implies a space that is suitable for the exploration and critical examination of artistic concepts, inviting artists and audiences to dive beneath the surface and uncover new perspectives.
Positioned beside a working farm, the surrounding landscape of the South Downs remains a source of inspiration for artists, both past and present. In the 18th and 19th centuries painters J.M.W. Turner and John Constable captured the area’s natural beauty, whilst during the first half of the 20th century the area was activated by a number of patrons, writers, intellectuals and artists including Peggy Guggenheim, Vanessa Bell, Duncan Grant, Lee Miller, Virginia Woolf and E.M. Forster.
Programme
Inspection Pit positions itself to present a specific exhibition programme in collaboration with artists, curators and creative thinkers.
Three exhibitions are presented annually, with one slot dedicated to the artist resident should they choose to participate.
The space promotes creative experimentation without the pressures associated with the commercial and public arts, giving artists the opportunity to be seen in an alternative environment.
Photo: Ben Westoby