Hey there, design lovers!
It’s been a while since my last visit to Hestercombe House, a hidden gem in Somerset that's been making waves in the art world. As I walked through its halls, I was transported back to when Hestercombe House first opened its doors to the public in May 2014, reuniting its gorgeous period gardens with contemporary galleries. Their ambitious gallery program has brought some of the hottest national and international artists right to Somerset's doorstep, offering residencies and original shows inspired by the surrounding landscapes.
Strolling through the gallery, I was amazed to see how over the past decade, Hestercombe has showcased the work of over 400 artists, ranging from Turner Prize winners to fresh talent straight out of art schools. The 38 gallery and garden exhibitions they've hosted have engaged families, students, local audiences, and community groups alike. No wonder they've been featured as one of the '10 best rural art galleries in the UK' to visit!
Their latest exhibition, Decennium, celebrates ten years of artistic brilliance. As I entered the main gallery, I was greeted by a large photographic triptych by Trish Morrissey called “Fame is a Bee” (2017), recreations of past female owners. The prickly iron-shaped tool sitting in a perspex box caught my eye—Sarah Bennett's “Lost Instrument” (2024), a found tool and pickles, is a thought-provoking piece.
Walking into another gallery room, I was captivated by an impressive patchwork of cyanotype photo prints of leaves from the trees. Liz Nicol’s “Rowan - Tree Scribes, Shadow Drawings” (2023) is a stunning testament to nature’s beauty. Brendan Barry, a photographer and camera builder, had transformed the gallery overlooking Hestercombe’s Formal Garden into a giant camera obscura. His work uses the mechanics of analogue photography as a tool for exploration and collaboration.
As I wandered further, I saw a large triangular patchwork of weeds. Lucy Soni’s “Wrong Place, Right Time” (2024) features images of weeds, or "plants in the wrong place." This fascinating crossover between women's work of patchwork quilting and the historical relegation of women to the menial job of weeding gardens inspired me to think of creating something similar with an old book or magazine photography. In a small room, a film was running: Simon Faithfull’s “Sampling the Breath of an Island” (2023), alongside two 3D printed heads as habitats for live fungi.
Residencies have played a crucial role in Hestercombe's cultural life, and this exhibition highlights ten artists in residence, including their very first resident, Jo Lathwood, who literally lived in the house and created work from her gallery studio. Long-term collaborations and engagements with artists like Philippa Lawrence, Sarah Bennett, and Megan Calver, as well as Feral Practice's investigations into the estate's species and Trish Morrissey's recreations of past female owners, were also on display.
The roster of artists featured in Decennium is truly impressive: Tania Kovats, Helen Sear, Simon Faithfull, Alex Hartley, Mariele Neudecker, Philippa Lawrence, Sarah Bennett, Trish Morrissey, Susan Derges, John Newling, Feral Practice, Brendan Barry, Sophy Rickett, Liz Nicol, Jo Lathwood, Lucy Soni, Fiona Hingston, Simon Bayliss, Rebecca Partridge, Megan Calver, and Gabrielle Hoad.
So, if you're looking for a fun and inspiring day out, head over to Hestercombe House and Gardens. Walking through this blend of art, history, and natural beauty will leave you feeling both refreshed and creatively charged. Trust me, you won't want to miss it!