Skip to main content
Exhibitions

Landscape
and
Imagination

From Gardens to Land Art

21 March 2024 - 16 June 2024

an elegant, thoughtful tour of the place of landscape and gardens in our culture

Financial Times

A series of abstract silver fountain sculptures resembling intestines in a shallow pool stand in a row in a grassy park setting, with tall trees in the background.

Opening Times

Wed – Sun: Grounds – 10am-4.30pm, Galleries – 10.30am – 4.30pm
Mon and Tue: Closed, except bank holiday Mondays

Christmas Opening
Christmas Eve: 10am – 4.30pm
Christmas Day and Boxing Day: Closed
Sat 27 and Sun 28 Dec: 10am – 4.30pm
Mon 29 and Tue 30 Dec: Closed
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day: 10am – 4.30pm

About the
Exhibition

 

You could explore how artists and designers reimagined nature in this delightful exhibition.

Guest-curated by Professor Christiana Payne, it showcased how artists like JMW Turner, Nicolas Poussin, Ian Hamilton Finlay and Anya Gallaccio have shaped landscapes over time. From grand 17th-century gardens to modern land art, you could discover how artists have interacted with the designed landscape.

From the formal grounds of the 17th and 18th centuries to smaller flower-filled gardens of the 19th and 20th centuries, artists and garden designers have made their mark on the landscape around them. Today, environmentally conscious land artists undertake earth moving schemes which echo the grand planting schemes of the past.

This exhibition questioned whether these artistic visions of the ideal landscape have warped our concept of what is truly natural and how art can work together with nature to reverse the decline of our green spaces.

Children and families imagined their own colourful and fantastical landscapes through playful interactive activities in the exhibition galleries.

A sculpture of two abstract bronze figures situated on a pedestal in an art gallery setting. The background depicts a peaceful countryside landscape at sunset, with rolling hills, trees, and sheep grazing in a field. The sculpture is the main artistic focus, contrasting with the serene natural scenery behind it. The warm lighting and idyllic vista create an appealing and thoughtful atmosphere for appreciating the artwork.
Zoom picture 1 of 10
A girl with brown hair tied up with her back to us looks at a large landscape painting in a gallery also lined with sculptures atop plinths.
Zoom picture 2 of 10
An exhibition gallery displaying various sculptural works. In the foreground, there are several pedestals with ornamental stone sculptures, including spherical and pineapple-shaped forms reminiscent of decorative garden ornaments from the 18th century. The largest sculpture appears to be a stylised depiction of a hand grenade or artillery shell made from pale stone material. The exhibition space also includes framed landscape paintings hanging on the walls.
Zoom picture 3 of 10
A large photographic mural on one wall showing a scenic landscape with a field, trees, and sheep grazing. In the centre of the room, there is a bronze sculpture displaying an abstract human form on a light pedestal. Along the opposite wall are two tall glass display cases or vitrines, each containing a smaller sculpture.
Zoom picture 4 of 10
Two framed landscape paintings hung on a wall, with a large stone sculpture in the centre. The sculpture is an abstract orb form on a rectangular pedestal. The paintings depict scenic outdoor views with trees and bodies of water.
Zoom picture 5 of 10
Open the gallery to view all images

Landscape and
Imagination
Gallery

10 images
Several pedestals in the centre showcasing sculptures. Paintings and artworks of various styles line the walls, including landscapes, portraits, and abstract pieces in ornate frames.
An exhibition gallery space displaying artwork and artifacts. On the walls are framed historical maps and illustrations. In the centre of the room are several tall white plinths, with sculpted forms on top resembling finials. The pedestals appear to be arranged in a line across the wooden floor gallery space. The lighting and minimalist design create a clean, museum-like atmosphere for viewing the exhibited pieces.
Two colourful floral tapestries hang on a neutral colour wall.
Two paintings of landscapes on a wall between a door that opens onto a gallery with more paintings in front of a glass case containing two open books
A small miniature landscape in a shoe box size structure mounted on a wall

Landscape and Imagination is supported by The Anson Charitable Trust, The Finnis Scott Foundation and The Golsoncott Foundation

A logo for the Golsoncott Foundation. The letters G and F on a musical stage with a treble clef as an ampersand.
related events
Exhibition tour
Talks & Lectures Included in Admission

Exhibition 
tour

Wed and Thu

The Shelter of Stories
Exhibitions Included in Admission

The Shelter
of
Stories

Ways of Telling, Ways of Dwelling

Until Sun 22 Feb 2026

Learn more
Commodities: Sculpture and Ceramics by Renee So
Exhibitions Included in Admission

Commodities: Sculpture and Ceramics
 by Renee So

Until Sun 8 Mar

Learn more