People who are creative in the field of visual or performing arts, music, etc., are commonly referred to as artists.

Written by Cliff Gorman as part of the Exmouth community education column.

But the extremely influential artist Joseph Beuys (1921-1986) maintained that creativity is not confined to an elite group of specialists - it is there for everyone. As such he pleaded for an expansion of the concept of art to include everyone - summed up by his statement 'Everyone is an artist’. This does not mean everyone is a painter or sculptor, no, he simply means everyone possesses creative faculties that could, and should, be identified and developed.

His expanded concept of art inevitably led to what he called ‘Social Sculpture’. This he maintained is an entirely new category of art, not another ‘-ism’ like post-modernism for example, but an evolution of art to what he also called ‘anthropological art’. Among other things it alludes to a realisation that even thinking is a sculptural process, and every thought, every word we speak, every organisation we participate in etc., influences the environment we live in. In practice ‘social sculpture’ is a process whereby everyone becomes a conscious and active participant in the task of developing and transforming social reality. It doesn't matter what activity we're looking at.

If we look at it in terms of the extent to which it makes the living environment of society worth living in, and it enables a free and lively development of the community we call the universe, then we have participated in the field of social sculpture.

In Exmouth we have a fine example of both social sculpture and traditional art - all under one roof, so to speak. Anna FitzGerald and Ellie Burgin opened the Sea Dog Art gallery/coffee shop at Beacon Hill just over six months ago and it is already proving to be a great success. But Sea Dog Art is much more than a place displaying and selling the work of local artists; it is also about utilising the positive power of art for social benefit.

Anyone walking along the beach opposite the Ocean will see the results of Anna’s initiative to revitalise a 100-metre stretch of Exmouth’s seafront wall, previously daubed with offensive graffiti. A group of volunteers are now continually transforming the walls into a colourful site-specific artwork with an underwater theme - all this in an area used by residents and visitors who just want to sit and watch the sea and the sky go by. It is also a gathering place for people involved with anti-social activities. At first, perhaps predictably, many of these regulars dismissed Anna’s ideas with comments such as ‘a waste of time’ or ’it won’t last 5 minutes’ or ’what’s the point?’, etc. But now some of those very same regulars enthusiastically join in the painting and, what’s more, actively discourage anyone from defacing or disparaging ‘their’ artwork.

Anna approached East Devon District Council with the concept of a time-based art piece. She saw the neglected unloved shelters covered with offensive graffiti as a meaningful opportunity for change. She believes that the emotional damage created by the hate-led graffiti has less of a power when it becomes part of an ever-changing art project. She does not feel it is her place to judge what people wish to put on the walls but felt that by adding a healthier more rounded viewpoint the more extreme views written would lose some of their shock factors, people would be less upset, and the area would become a safer, healthier place. To manage this respectfully will take 2 years. Believing in a quick paint-over approach is not only confrontational but also does not allow for the steady nurturing of a new social character to the place.

A core group of about 10 meet up every Tuesday from 4pm – sundown, with perhaps a further fifty joining in, weather dependent. And although many of the contributors live locally, over half of the volunteers travel from far afield. There is no doubt that this exemplary piece of social sculpture has changed lives. Total strangers from different walks of life have become friends and, at the same time, enhanced our local environment. A previously embarrassing eyesore has been transformed into an ever-changing colourful place to meet and be proud of. No wonder Sea Dog Art was a deserving finalist in this year’s Exeter Living Awards. Good luck to Anna and all who sail with her!