Spellbound, a new exhibition featuring works of Jackie Morris and Robert Macfarlane offers visitors the chance to see a new selection from both celebrated exhibitions as one.
Two exhibitions based on the extraordinarily successful poetry books The Lost Words and The Lost Spells by artist Jackie Morris and author Robert Macfarlane, are going on display in Northumberland later this week as one new exhibition for the first time.
Spellbound unites The Lost Words with its highly acclaimed follow up The Lost Spells and is going on display at The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre in Northumberland National Park, on Saturday 18 January.
The exhibition seeks to reconnect people with the natural world.
Described as a ‘cultural phenomenon,’ the Lost Words book was originally inspired by a 2016 report that found children knew more Pokémon characters than common UK wildlife. The Lost Spells took this concept further by invoking the magic of British wildlife in a time of climate, biodiversity, and wellbeing crises.
The new exhibition features selected pieces from both exhibitions and presents them as one new reworked display. It is being shown first at The Sill: Landscape Discovery Centre which is adjacent to panoramic views of Northumberland National Park landscape and local wildlife that has inspired Jackie’s works.
Artworks featured in the new presentation, include common species of wildlife in the UK, such as wren, red fox, king fisher, otter, barn owl and goldfinch, as well as flora of acorn, dandelion, conker, oak, and willow.
In addition, items that demonstrate Jackie Morris and Robert Macfarlane’s artistic process will be shown at The Sill, including original note and sketchbooks, and natural objects that inspired the works, including a nest and egg.
There will also be a recorded reading of some of Robert’s poems played and shown in the gallery space providing an ambient, immersive experience, and Spellbound themed children’s activities will be on offer.
“It is a wonderful thing for me to see these two exhibitions brought together with such vision at The Sill. It feels very much that the artwork is in its natural habitat, here where so many of the more than human lives celebrated in our books can be found. This is a landscape rich in both life and story." - Artist Jackie Morris.
Connecting people with nature is a key aim of Northumberland National Park. Its flagship visitor centre, The Sill, acts as the gateway to explore this special and unique landscape of the National Park, which is home to many of the species featured in the exhibition.
Sarah Burn, Head of Engagement at Northumberland National Park says: “As a National Park, it is our mission to celebrate, conserve, and enhance the wild beauty that surrounds us. Through these works, we invite people to remember the magic of our native species, to rediscover the wonder of landscapes alive with oak and ivy, kingfisher, and curlew. If we do not celebrate these creatures and speak their names, they risk vanishing not just from our language but from the world itself.
“Bringing Spellbound to The Sill is a call to take notice and take action to help protect and treasure these wonderful species and landscapes that are unique to our isle.”
In a further development, after the exhibition closes, Spellbound will be available to hire as a combined exhibition for the first time, or separately as The Lost Words or The Lost Spells, both of which have toured venues across the UK. Any organisations interested in hosting the exhibitions can contact exhibitions@nnpa.org.uk for more information.
Spellbound: The Lost Words and The Lost Words opens at The Sill on Saturday 18 January and runs until 6 April. On opening day, Jackie Morris will be in the gallery space, meeting visitors, signing books and painting in the space.
In addition, there will be several Spellbound themed craft and interest-led events at The Sill taking place throughout February, March, and April. All can be booked via the What’s On section of The Sill’s website.
Read more on the Culture Northumberland Substack.
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