Kentish Express Ashford & District
Artist ‘sick to his heart’ as work will not go on show
Exclusive
An artist says he painted more than 50 pictures and took hundreds of photographs after being offered a position as an artist in residence at a luxury hotel near Ashford – only to be told he was not wanted.
Established artist and former film director Paul Joyce spent more than £1,000 on materials, mounting, framing and printing work in anticipation of his show at the lavish Eastwell Manor in Boughton Aluph.
All of the pictures depict features of the grounds of the £130-a-night hotel.
Mr Joyce said: “I was driving along the Ashford Road and suddenly this place caught my eye.
“It was slightly misty but as I made my way up the lane towards the manor, it became clearer and it was a magical journey.
“As soon as I entered the grounds my spirit rose. I love the trees and the grounds look like Versailles.”
After becoming a member of the swimming pool, Mr Joyce, who lives in Faversham, approached the former owner Turrloo Parrett about the possibility of displaying some of his work.
He says that Mr Parrett and his business partner Patricia Kennedy liked the idea and agreed that he should be given a position as an artist in residence.
He created a number of postcards to sell in the manor and then began putting together his collection of paintings and photographs.
But when he completed the work, he was told his services were no longer needed.
Although Mr Parrett and Miss Kennedy had initially been the decision-makers, over the past year multinational spa company Champneys has taken over and not offered Mr Joyce a space to display his work.
Mr Joyce said: “It made me feel sick to my heart that I had devoted so much time and so many skills to this work, inspired by the landscape of Eastwell Manor.
“I never asked for recompense or money. All I ever said was that if we sell the work, they would get a percentage of any sale.
“I do not know what I am expected to do with so much artwork focused entirely on Eastwell Manor.”
Mr Parrett did not want to comment.
Champneys, who recently bought the hotel from Mr Parrett, were approached for a comment.