An artists collective known as The Wider Circle is to showcase its new art at a free exhibition open to the public. The exhibition will be at The Gallery Upstairs at Upton Country Park in Poole from June 5th to 16th, 2025. The work is inspired by world-recognised Bournemouth poet James Sale’s latest book of poetry, DoorWay, a modern interpretation of Dante’s Heaven. 

The Wider Circle exhibition:
June 5th – 16th 2025
The Gallery Upstairs, Upton Country Park, Poole BH17 7BJ
Open daily between 10.00-16.30 

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, digital artist Mark Burden, and composer Antonino Chiaramonte.  Each of the artists has created work inspired by poet James Sale’s latest book of poetry entitled ‘DoorWay’ and includes new work not exhibited before.   

James Sale’s book of poetry, DoorWay, is the third in his series of poetry books from his collection, The English Cantos, and is based on a contemporary vision of Dante’s heaven.   Excerpts from James’ book will be included in the June exhibition.  Written in Dante’s terza rima style of three-line stanzas, it draws on reflections from James’ near-death experience in Ward 17 of Bournemouth General.  James’ DoorWay book is the third of his English Cantos collection to be available on Amazon.  James is a member of the Society of Classical Poets and was invited to read excerpts from his work at its symposium in New York. 

Angela Perrett said of her glass, clay and oil painting collection in the upcoming 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 generates 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 DoorWay is written out in sections and bound in a contemporary book.  The content is then presented in different contained 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’ DoorWay poetry.  I have channelled this into mixed media works on paper, canvas and wood.” 

Linda adds “The exhibition in June is unique: each artist is presenting their standalone work, with many pieces inspired by James Sale’s newest book of poetry, DoorWay, creating a common thread.  We hope visitors will develop a new appreciation of Dante’s work, as the exhibition pays homage to Dante whilst also treading fresh ground.  We will also be creating some live interpretations of the work at the exhibition’s private view event, including a performance of James’ poetry with music and sound.  Please follow us on our Facebook and Instagram pages, where more information will be revealed.” 

More information:  https://widercircleexhibition.com/