Creating Local Culture

Many artists and creatives who studied with us in Southampton and Winchester have gone on to find global recognition for their work. This list includes John Buckley, famed for his Headington Shark, Turner Prize nominee Darren Almond and Mary Fairburn, Tolkien’s first illustrator.

Among them there’s a growing group of graduates who’ve chosen to remain in the Hampshire area, continuing to contribute to the cultural wealth of our cities far beyond graduation day.

Claire Fuller, a successful novelist and short story writer, is a Winchester School of Art graduate who resides in the city. Her five novels, including Unsettled Ground (winner of the Costa Novel Award 2021 and shortlisted for the 2021 Women’s Prize for Fiction) and the critically acclaimed Bitter Orange, have been translated into more than twenty languages.

“I studied sculpture at WSA from 1986 to 1989, just as the more traditional head of department was leaving and John Gibbons, a more experimental sculptor, took the role. In some ways the work I created spanned both types of sculpture, and I can see both elements in my writing – my novels all have a strong narrative, but will often include something slightly off-beat, unsettling, or speculative.

Inspiration comes from many places for me, including particular locations (Unsettled Ground was inspired by a derelict caravan I came across in woods near Winchester) and stories other people have told me (my latest novel, The Memory of Animals, was inspired by a friend of my son’s signing up for a clinical drug trial). 

WSA taught me how to listen to criticism and use or discard it. We had ‘crits’ at least weekly, when the year group would go around the studios with John, looking at students’ work and discussing it. Sometimes that was hard, but it was a hugely useful grounding for the critiques my novels have to go through.”

Beyond providing inspiration for her work, Claire finds a thriving creative community in the local area.

“I’m so pleased that there are lots of literary events happening in Winchester and the surrounding area. I’ve helped set up a book club at The Cabinet Rooms. We meet every six weeks or so and it’s open to anyone.

I’m also very excited for the Winchester Books Festival which is running again from 19^th to 21^st April. Not only do they have lots of great writers coming to speak, but I’m involved in We Write: how to write your novel and get it published – a series of three panels especially for emerging writers. I’ll also be hosting the festival’s We Write event, where book clubs and individuals all read the same novel – The Saturday Place by Alice Peterson – and come together on 21^st April to discuss it with the author.”

Alumna Jo Fisher has recently been invested as a Trustee of the Winchester Poetry Festival, and writes and performs her own poetry across the region.

“I studied BA English and enjoyed it so much that I stayed on for an extra year for my Master’s! I had a brilliant time, making lifelong friends – as many of us do at university – and working hard.

I’ve been at the University even longer as a member of staff. As Corporate Writer and Editor, I’m very fortunate to have found a job doing what I love. I get to contribute to a fantastic range of projects and publications, and collaborate with brilliant people.

I remember attending open mic events at Nuffield Southampton Theatre on Highfield Campus and at the SO: To Speak Festival of Words in 2015, and watching the performers and poets with a huge amount of admiration and awe. In 2016, I decided to give it a go myself. My first open mic performance came shortly after, and I’ve been writing and sharing my work ever since!

Since I got stuck into reading, writing, watching and performing poetry, I’ve had so many opportunities (like performing at the Royal Albert Hall!), made so many wonderful connections and felt more and more a part of the community.

My position as Trustee for the Winchester Poetry Festival will allow me to expand my skillset while contributing to my existing knowledge. The event isn’t just one (big) poetry festival weekend every two years – they do so much throughout the year and contribute so much to the local community, and indeed the national poetry scene. It’s inspired me a lot with my writing, and it’s great to give back and ensure it continues to grow and inspire others.”

Jo captures what many students and graduates feel about creative local opportunities, “Both Southampton and Winchester – and Hampshire, in general – have so much to offer in terms of culture. It’s hard to compete with some of the bigger cities in the UK. But this is a place where creative people can thrive, find their voices, and hone their craft, with great support and encouragement, in a welcoming and uplifting community.”