The Housekeepers

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Shortlisted proposal for the North East Emerging Artist Award at Seaton Delaval Hall, Northumberland. 

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Out of sight, domestic servants of Seaton Delaval Hall in the 18th century are difficult to find in historical writing. Mrs Mary Ashley, the central figure in this work, served as the Housekeeper from 1736 – 1743. Responsible for keeping fine china, linen, and glass, she was one of the little documented servants, with surviving notes written in her local dialect. I proposed to make a series of ceramic figurines representing the servants throughout history, inspired by objects in the collection. Encased in a wooden puppet theatre, painted with dreamlike imagery and props, the figurines were posed in a scene preparing for one of the Halls’ infamous parties. The puppet theatre installed in one of the servant turret rooms for visitors to engage up-close. The proposal celebrated and symbolised people working at the Hall, both historically and today, who have dedicated their time to upkeep its magical, surreal, and theatrical reputation.

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Glazed ceramic, thread, acrylic paint, wood, 43 x 43 x 43 cm

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Photos: Bec Hughes / National Trust