An artists’ collective known as The Wider Circle will be exhibiting at the art gallery at Athelhampton House throughout August and September 2026. The art is inspired by world-recognised local poet James Sale’s books of poetry, The English Cantos, which are based on a contemporary vision of Dante’s trilogy, The Divine Comedy.
The Wider Circle exhibition:
When: 2nd August 2026 to 29th September 2026
Where: Athelhampton Art Gallery, Athelhampton House & Gardens, Puddletown, Dorchester, Dorset DT2 7LG
Opening Times: Open daily between 11am to 5pm every day
The artists’ collective, The Wider Circle, is made up of poet James Sale, multimedia artist Angela Perrett, calligraphy artist Judith Warbey, mixed media artist Linda E Sale, and digital artist Mark Burden. Each of the artists has created work inspired by poet James Sale’s books of poetry, The English Cantos. The work includes vibrant glass art, 3D calligraphy art, contemporary surrealist and pop art, and mixed media works.
Angela Perrett said of her glass, clay and oil painting collection in the exhibition “The collection draws on key extracts from James’ poetry which are characterised by an emotional response and personal interpretation. The fluidity of the glass lends itself to unexpected developments, which have to be embraced! While the layering processes of oil paint on board generate surfaces that aim to represent the struggle and awe of the journey.”
Calligraphy artist, Judith Warbey, great-granddaughter of professional Victorian artist Walter Tyndale, said about her collection, “My interpretation of The English Cantos is written out in sections and bound in a contemporary book. The content is then presented in different ways. Key words feature in small, numbered sections, referring back to the specific canto.”
Digital artist Mark Burden says, “I work in series, making prints and artist books, using digital and traditional media to create works that often combine word and image. My work has a journalistic approach to James’ poetry, condensing each canto into a single, rich, jewel-like work.”
Linda E Sale, an exhibiting mixed media artist and creator of each of the books’ cover artwork, said “I am inspired by the emotional and spiritual content of the terza rima of James’ poetry. I have channelled this into mixed media works on paper, canvas and wood.”
“With an extensive and diverse collection of art and poetry on display, every visitor to the exhibition is sure to find something that resonates and inspires. The artworks are available for purchase, and visitors will also have the opportunity to acquire copies of James Sale’s acclaimed poetry books.”
