Bo Lee and Workman set up shop in Bruton, the new gallery follows Hauser & Wirth Somerset in boosting the town’s up-and-coming art scene.
A decade ago, Bruton was a sleepy town nestled in the Somerset countryside known for its picturesque 16th Century dovecot, a couple of schools, and not much else. Today, it’s a burgeoning arts hub boasting Hauser & Wirth Somerset (founded in 2014), a handful of small art galleries, a Michelin-starred restaurant, trendy bars, and even trendier residents.
Bo Lee and Workman is the latest gallery to set up shop there in an old Methodist church at the bottom of the high street. Co-founded by Jemma Hickman and Alice Workman in 2022, the gallery is committed to representing and enabling the development of established and emerging artists. Workman is the former senior director, cultural centres Europe at Hauser & Wirth, while Hickman launched bo.lee gallery in Bath in 2009 and another space in South London in 2013.
The inaugural exhibition of Bo Lee and Workman is a solo presentation of new work by Cornwall-based artist Jonathan Michael Ray titled The Voice in the Shadow. A religious theme runs through several of the artworks, which chime with the gallery space. Bruton-based Bindloss Dawes Architects were entrusted to transform the old church (which ceased to be a place of worship in 2021) into a contemplative contemporary space.
The gallery represents a select group of artists chosen for their distinct practice and forms of expression including Ambrosine Allen, Kim Booker, Lindsey Bull, Will Cruickshank, Laura Ford, Des Hughes, Jonathan Michael Ray, and Amy Stephens.
The Voice in the Shadow runs until 24th June. boleeworkman.com
