Two arts exhibitions designed to encourage visitors to look more closely at the fine details around them are coming to Croome.
The two exhibits, Conference for the Birds by Marcus Coates and looking Closely by Thomas Bewick, will be at National Trust’s Croome from 11am to 4.30pm until October 29 and from 11am to 4pm until February 18, 2024.
Thomas Bewick: Looking Closely explores the playful work of artist-engraver and naturalist, Thomas Bewick (1753 – 1828).
Born at Cherryburn in Northumberland, he revolutionised engraving in Georgian England with his detailed miniature woodblock prints depicting rural life and the natural world.
Through his observations of animals and birds he was drawn to look closely at shapes, forms and colours in a way that is natural to both artists and scientists.
Looking Closely explores Bewick’s career and work, including a chance to see both volumes of his most famous book A History of British Birds, taken from Croome’s collection as the inspiration and starting point for this exhibition. Also on display are a selection of tail-pieces, prints otherwise known as vignettes, and often referred to by Bewick as tale pieces.
An indication of his humour and moral character can be seen through close inspection of these small engravings, many offering commentary on important social issues of his time.
The exhibition is bought together with Conference for the Birds, a sound and sculpture installation by artist Marcus Coates. Visitors are invited to sit with the sculptures, created as enlarged facsimiles of Thomas Bewick’s bird engravings from A History of British Birds. The birds, played by six wildlife experts and Marcus Coates, discuss topics from migration to predation and the challenges they face day to day.
Jennie McGaughan, creative producer for National Trust South Worcestershire said: “These exhibitions at Croome are exciting because they’re inspired by previously unseen objects from our collection but also details that can be found all around is in the house and parkland.
“Creating a dialogue between or indoor and outdoor spaces has been really important to us as we encourage visitors of all ages to look closely at Thomas Bewick’s engravings and apply the same principals to their observations in nature at Croome.”
Conference for the Birds was originally commissioned by Newcastle University as part of their Mapping Contemporary Art in Heritage Experience.
