A NEW exhibition at Bournemouth University is exploring the relationship between art and language.

The Art and Language installation is part of a two-year project entitled Evolution: Frink and the next generation and is a collaboration between BU curator Julie Herring and Annette Ratuszniak, curator of the estate of artist Elisabeth Frink.

It features illustrations for books by Elisabeth Frink, words cut into stone by Incisive Letterwork and imagist poems and sound sculpture film by Derek Shiel, among others.

Frink was a ground-breaking artist who lived in Dorset for many years before her death in 1993. Her art is known worldwide.

Julie Herring said: “Some of the work is about the words and symbols of language, but it is also the language behind what an artist is trying to say in their work.

“The relationship between art and language is an important on.”

She added: “We are trying to encourage students, staff and members of the public to look a bit deeper into the art and what the artists are trying to express.”

Swanage-based artist Brian Graham, who has received an honorary doctorate from the university, also has work on display as part of the installation, which will run until mid-December.

His artwork combines archeological finds with imagery of museums, such as the Tate Modern and Imperial War Museum.

Brian said: “I’m a local chap and it’s wonderful for my work to be on display at Bournemouth University. There’s a paucity of venues for visual arts in Poole and Dorset, so I think it is absolutely essential that there are places like this.”

The Art and Language exhibition will be on display to staff, students and the public until Saturday December 15 at the Atrium Gallery, which is open from 9am to 6pm Monday to Saturday. Admission is free.