COLOUR FORMS

Molly & Mother Sculptures by Lenny and Whale. Photo credit Timm Cleasby.

The 300th year anniversary of Lady Mary Wortley Montagu was celebrated through the artwork, ‘Colour Forms - straws upon the water’, created by artists Paul Slater and Katrina Whale during a year long artist’s residency at Wentworth Castle Gardens.

The life of Lady Mary Wortley Montagu has inspired the artists in their work. Her achievements pioneering inoculation against smallpox are recognised through the Sun Monument, one of our garden highlights, which is dedicated to her. There are interesting parallels between elements of Lady Mary’s story and the current global emergency which resonate deeply for the artists.

“As the project developed it was striking to discover how her introduction of the Smallpox inoculation into England resonated with the current research being undertaken in the development of vaccines for the Coronavirus.”

Paul Slater & Katrina Whale

The artists responded to the pandemic through online engagement with the families of Silkstone Primary School who enjoyed bespoke arts activities and packs as part of their home-schooled curriculum. The families created and shared over 100 drawings and photographs to inform the final artworks. To inspire their drawings and sculptures, the families enjoyed a free visit to the gardens. This community engagement work informed the artists’ final piece.

“It is such a lovely project to be involved in and a really positive experience for our families.” Sally Adams, Headteacher

“I went for a lovely walk around Wentworth Castle and was thrilled to see such wonderful, inspiring colours in an art installation. These were dotted around the fernery and were a feast for the eyes.” Visitor

The art installation ‘Colour Forms - straws upon the water’ opened in March 2021 and involved colourful and playful interventions throughout the Fernery for visitors to explore. The artwork, which consists of a series of hand painted spheres, a molecular structure and two bespoke benches, was accompanied by a specially composed soundscape. The subtitle of the work, ‘straws upon the water’, is taken from a quote attributed to Lady Mary Wortley Montagu:

“I am afraid we are little better than straws upon the water; we may flatter ourselves that we swim when the current carries us along.”

Following the display at Wentworth Castle Gardens the artwork toured to Cannon Hall Gardens and Elsecar Heritage Centre. The large central sculptures (Molly and Mother Sphere) now have a permanent home at Castle Hill School in Huddersfield, and the artists donated the two benches to the garden at Wakefield Hospice.