Showcasing Fine Art talent from Newcastle University and the North East

Eight local artists are showcasing their proposals until 23 June, which are open to a public vote. The winner will be commissioned to exhibit their work for six weeks at the impressive Seaton Delaval Hall; National Trust’s dramatic Georgian property, based on the edge of the Northumberland coastline.

Five of the eight artists are current students or graduates from the School of Arts and Cultures at Newcastle University; learn more about their proposals below.

Bethany Stead who graduated from Newcastle University’s Fine Art degree in 2019 proposes ‘The Housekeepers’, in which she aims to explore the hidden stories of the servants of Seaton Delaval Hall through life-size models. 

Iris Ollier, a 2023 graduate of Newcastle University’s Fine Art, is proposing the project: ‘Bottle Works: Lines of Sight’. With this, she explores the concept of beauty, particularly related to our physical surroundings, and how this can change over time. She uses the surrounding landscape of Seaton Delaval Hall to reflect on this.

Lucy Waters is a current student on the Fine Art degree programme at Newcastle University. Her proposed artwork is ‘Delaval Ware’. Through this she reimagines the inheritance of the Hall’s treasured possessions, with a bespoke set of unique ceramics created for the female family line.

Phoebe Scott who has just completed her Fine Art degree at Newcastle University is proposing ‘Glamour of the Big Wigs’; which suggests a playful and flamboyant life-sized wig that will serve as an interactive piece for visitors of the Hall. 

Suze Terwisscha van Scheltinga graduated from Newcastle University’s Folk and Traditional Music degree in 2021. She is proposing ‘The Lost God Speaks’, a haunting musical arrangement in honour of the Hall’s links with Roman antiquities and the God, Bacchus.

The three other North East based artists and project titles are:

Chris Thompson (The Iron)

Jordan Edge (The Lyre of Elysium) and

Debbie Scott (A Day in the Life of Francis Blake Delaval)

Professor Vee Pollock, Dean of Culture and Creative Arts at Newcastle University says: 

“With this opportunity, the National Trust is not only supporting the careers of emerging artists by giving them a platform to show their work, but it also continues their rich history of commissioning art. Through the collaboration between Matthew and the National Trust, it is fantastic that the work of these emerging artists is being brought to new and diverse audiences.”

Raising Awareness of artistic talent in the North East

The North East Emerging Artist Award was established in 2021 and developed by independent curator, Matthew Jarratt and Seaton Delaval Hall’s General Manager, Emma Thomas.

Matthew Jarrat says:

‘The North East Emerging Artist Award has become an important annual opportunity for final year students and recent graduates, as well as emerging artists connected to the North East.

Our eight finalists this year represent a really wide range of artistic approaches, and over 5500 National Trust visitors have voted for their favourite proposal!  We look forward to announcing the winners in July and then we will support them to realise their proposals for next year’s exhibition.

Emma Thomas adds:

‘All proposals are a true testament to the quality of the creative work in our region, and I would like to congratulate all shortlisted artists. What better place to showcase their work than Seaton Delaval Hall; a site steeped in a history of creativity and artistic patronage. This story, coupled with another strong year of artistic proposals, will make for a fantastic offer to visitors in 2025 when the winning pieces are presented.’

All project proposals are currently on display at Seaton Delaval Hall and will close on Sunday 23 June.

Learn more about the Emerging Artist Award and see short YouTube videos of the artists, here.