Made In England

From the 8th – 26th August, the 15th century castle, owned by the National Trust, will be the focus of innovative contemporary art works and installations by six internationally renowned artists.

The exhibition is among the first initiatives in a new relationship between Arts Council England and the National Trust, aimed at promoting contemporary arts and crafts in historic properties. The Tattershall exhibition has received funding from Arts Council England, National Trust, Lincolnshire County Council, East Lindsey District Council, Arts NK and Renaissance East Midlands.

Sarah Price

Meet the artists

- Sarah Price is a Chelsea Flower Show Silver medalist and designer of the botanical garden for the 2012 Olympic Park. She will create a wild garden artwork, reflecting the time when the castle was abandoned and overgrown and was one of the great romantic ruins which influenced watercolour artists during the 18th century.

- Geraldine Pilgrim, who wowed visitors in 2007 with her work at English Heritage's Belsay Hall, specialises in installations in unusual buildings. At Tattershall, she has been inspired by the medieval romantic imagery associated with towers, of women trapped in turrets, and the theme of past lives stored away. Her inventive use of packing crates and cases will link all the themes.

Catherine Bertola

- Catherine Bertola has worked on a number of projects, including the recent 'Everything and Nothing' commission for V and A Museum. For Tattershall, she has been inspired by textiles as used by women through history, and the folk and fairy tales of spinning and weaving being the embodiment of the perfect housewife. A series of golden 'cobwebs', symbolizing the patterns of textiles, will illustrate the passing of time.

- Linda Florence, whose exciting work includes projects for the V and A Museum, will produce elaborate patterns cut into the large lawn in front of Tattershall's castle keep. They are influenced by carpets, floor decorations and interiors from the past, and reflect the hidden history and archaeology beneath the ground. As the grass grows in the weeks that follow, the design will gradually fade away. Visitors will be able to enjoy the design from its best viewpoint from the roof of the castle. 

Tom Wexler

- KMA has worked on dramatic transformations of famous spaces, such as London's Trafalgar Square, but also in more intimate environments. At Tattershall, they will use technology in an artistic form to bring the castle’s history alive. With an animated and audio 'tour guide' in the atmospheric cellars, using film projected onto a plaster bust of the 'guide', the narrative will weave fact with fiction in a playful way as it tells the story of Lord Ralph Cromwell, who built the castle, and Lord Curzon, who saved it.

Art in Lincolnshire

Alison Lloyd, Head of Visual Arts and Literature, Arts Council England, East Midlands said: "The connection between fantastic new art and this extraordinary building creates a really wow factor event. The House of Bling aims to show off Tattershall in a new light, where artists have had a chance to be inspired by the historical to create the new."

Geraldine Pilgrim artwork

"This is a 'must- see' event in Lincolnshire with internationally renowned artists. It is just the beginning of the Arts Council's partnership with the National Trust and we are thrilled that the East Midlands is among the first to be involved."

Rebecca Speight, Director for the National Trust East Midlands said: "This is Tattershall Castle as visitors have never seen it before and the perfect opportunity to enjoy the best of contemporary art in an iconic heritage building. We are thrilled that the stories of the people and architecture of such a dramatic medieval building can inspire really innovative and exciting contemporary art."