WE WUNT BE DRUV

We Wunt Be Druv: Sussex Identity in Contemporary Art

Few places in England hold such a strong sense of identity as Sussex. Its landscapes, traditions, and cultural voices have shaped a county that feels distinct — a place where the idea of belonging is closely tied to land, memory, and community. The phrase “We Wunt Be Druv,” Sussex dialect for “We will not be driven,” captures that enduring spirit. It is both a declaration of independence and a quiet expression of pride in place.

The Sussex Contemporary Democratic Open Call Exhibition takes this phrase as its theme, inviting artists to explore what it means to be from — or connected to — Sussex today. Through a wide range of contemporary practices, the exhibition becomes a collective reflection on identity, heritage, and the evolving meaning of place.

Landscape as Identity

At the heart of Sussex lies its landscape. The rolling chalk hills of the South Downs stretch across the county like a spine, shaping the rhythm of rural life for centuries. These open spaces — windswept ridges, grazing sheep, and wide skies — have long inspired artists, writers, and walkers alike.

Artists such as Eric Ravilious and Peggy Angus captured the distinctive character of the Sussex countryside in their work. Their images of chalk paths, farms, and quiet rural scenes reflect a deep connection to place — a sensibility that continues to resonate with artists today.

For many participants in the exhibition, the landscape becomes a starting point. Paintings, photographs, and sculptural works echo the textures of chalk, grass, and sea air, capturing the atmosphere that defines Sussex. The Downs are not merely scenery; they are part of a cultural memory, grounding identity in geography and shared experience.

Art, Community and Creative Heritage

Sussex has long been a home for artists seeking inspiration and creative freedom. The county became a gathering place for members of the Bloomsbury Group, including Vanessa Bell, whose work and life were closely connected to Charleston Farmhouse. At Charleston, art and daily life merged — walls, furniture, and rooms transformed into painted surfaces and collaborative creative space.

This tradition of artistic community continues to shape Sussex today. Studios, galleries, and independent spaces across the county sustain a vibrant cultural network, where contemporary artists respond not only to the physical landscape but also to the legacy of those who came before them.

The Sussex Contemporary Democratic Open Call reflects this ongoing dialogue. By inviting artists from diverse backgrounds and practices, the exhibition celebrates the idea that Sussex identity is something continually reimagined through art.

Fire, Ritual, and Collective Memory

If the landscape represents Sussex’s physical identity, its traditions reveal the strength of its communities. Nowhere is this more visible than in the county’s famous bonfire celebrations, particularly the torchlit processions of Lewes. Each year, bonfire societies carry flaming crosses through the streets, burning effigies and marking historical events in a dramatic expression of communal memory.

The spectacle is more than a festival; it is a powerful reminder of the county’s enduring independence and resistance. Fire becomes both symbol and ritual — echoing the spirit contained within the phrase We Wunt Be Druv.

Artists responding to the exhibition theme often draw upon this atmosphere of ceremony and symbolism. Light, flame, and gathering become visual metaphors for the persistence of local culture and the collective shaping of identity.

Coastlines and Smugglers’ Tales

Sussex identity is not defined by its hills alone. Along the coastline, stories of smuggling and maritime folklore have long shaped the region’s cultural imagination. Hidden coves, moonlit beaches, and narrow coastal paths once formed the routes of smuggling gangs who moved contraband goods along the Channel coast.

These stories remain woven into Sussex folklore, appearing in literature, local legend, and contemporary art. The idea of resistance — of communities operating beyond the reach of authority — resonates strongly with the phrase We Wunt Be Druv. Whether mythologised or historical, these coastal narratives contribute another layer to Sussex’s character: rebellious, resourceful, and shaped by the sea.

Belonging and Connection

The exhibition also expands the idea of what it means to be “from Sussex.” Some artists live within the county, deeply rooted in its landscapes and communities. Others carry Sussex with them through memory — childhood experiences, family histories, or emotional connections to the land.

In this way, Sussex becomes not just a location but a shared cultural touchstone. Identity is shaped not only by geography but by the stories, traditions, and landscapes that leave lasting impressions.

A Contemporary Sussex

Through the Sussex Contemporary Democratic Open Call, artists collectively reinterpret the meaning of We Wunt Be Druv for the present moment. Their works acknowledge the county’s past while also questioning and reshaping its identity in a changing world.

Together they form a portrait of Sussex that is both rooted and evolving — a place where landscape, artistic heritage, folklore, and community intertwine. The exhibition reminds us that identity is not fixed but continually created through culture, memory, and creative expression.

And still, across the hills, coastlines, and studios of Sussex, the old phrase quietly endures:

We Wunt Be Druv.