An art book for leading hoteliers The Brend Collection
The unique coastline that includes Saunton Sands and its constellation of nearby seaside stars has long inspired artists and inspired a book that showcases some of this stunning work.
The art book, from South West hoteliers the Brend family, celebrates the special chemistry that occurs between artists and this extraordinary landscape.
Saunton – A Coastal Curation features work collected over many decades for the art deco Saunton Sands Hotel, and in addition celebrates the work of many artists captivated by this magnificent stretch of sea, dunes and beach.
‘Strange rock formations, the subtle beauty of the light and wild stormy seas leave an impression on all who experience them, and artists are drawn to the area to capture the beauty of its movement, colour and emotion in oil, watercolour or clay,’ says its editor at Salt Media, Rosanna Rothery. This beautiful part of North Devon is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
The book, which was written and designed by Salt Media, throws the spotlight on the artwork collected over many decades by the Brend family to enhance the experience of guests visiting the hotel. These sometimes quirky, often humorous yet always uplifting canvases feature everything from jauntily painted beach huts and larger-than-life caricatures to classic landscapes and familiar local scenes.
There are also chapters about the many artists inspired by Saunton, the Atlantic and Lundy Island, as well as how the area has been portrayed in photography and popular culture. Artists and their work are captured in original photography by photographer Guy Harrop and include Sandy Brown, Colin Allbrook, Roger Cockram, Hilary Paynter, Philip and Frannie Leach and Merlyn Chesterman.