Wealden wonders: at Southern’s Penshurst station, Sally El Dar (left) and Cathy Bird MA have created an exhibition of art inspired by the local landscape
- Railway community partnership creates art gallery in platform shelter
- Southern displays work of local artists inspired by station’s rural environment
- Transformation is among hundreds of community projects in train company’s multimillion-pound station improvement programme
A partnership between local community groups and Southern Railway has created a surprising artwork installation at Penshurst station, on the Redhill-Tonbridge branch line in Kent. An exhibition of paintings by local artists has transformed a once dreary shelter into the Penshurst Platform Gallery.
Southern’s parent company Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) have smartened up the brick platform shelter as part of their network-wide, multimillion-pound station improvement programme. The shelter’s position up against the station boundary prevented any structural improvements, so the train company turned to the Southeast Communities Rail Partnership (SCRP) for inspiration.
SCRP Community Rail Officer, Sharon Gray, used her local knowledge to link up with a group of gifted artists based at nearby Jessops Farm Studios. Their work has delivered the drama that was lacking.
Jessops Farm Studios is a vibrant artist-led space in Chiddingstone Causeway. In this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, each artist expresses their personal response to places they love.
Cathy Bird MA, who runs the Studios, said: “We like to feel part of the community. Our studios host public exhibitions, talks and workshops, and some of our artists lead workshops at local art groups and other events. We were delighted when the SCRP invited us to create our ‘Platform Gallery’ at Penshurst station.”
Sharon Gray said: “We were so fortunate that this amazing group decided to work with our tiny rural station. I’ve worked on many station projects but seeing the quality and impact of this display of artistic talent took me completely by surprise. Thank you to everyone involved.
The project from start to finish was worked on entirely throughout the past year’s lockdown restrictions. The artists and project organisers did an amazing job putting this together.
“When restrictions are lifted I encourage people to sit, relax and take the time to enjoy these images of this beautiful part of Kent.”
Chris Fowler, Customer Services Director for Southern, said: “On behalf of our customers I’d like to say a big thank you to Sharon, the project organisers and all the talented local artists for creating this unique attraction. Our station improvement programme is about providing a better travelling experience, and it’s also about being a partner with local communities to make sure their stations are the best local assets they can be.”
GTR’s station improvement programme includes more than 1,000 projects at over 250 stations. As well as redecorated shelters on both platforms, Penshurst passengers will benefit from new seats and lighting, new cycle parking hoops, and internal redecoration of the footbridge.
