‘HOME’ is the subject of an exhibition at Harewood House to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the laying of the building’s foundation stone.
Although Harewood has evolved over the years into the business it is today, one constant has been that it has always been a home. Harewood House itself was conceived as the ultimate dream home of its time, making a radical statement of taste and culture as well as of wealth.
The show, entitled Home Truths, explores the concept of home, what it is and what it means to us all.
JMW Turner’s watercolours of Harewood House, which are rarely seen in public due to the risk of fading, were the catalyst to the exhibition. Harewood’s own collection includes work not just by Turner but also Girtin, Malton and Piper, and these will be on display alongside exciting and challenging works of contemporary art borrowed from galleries all over Europe, including the Saatchi Gallery in London. Artists represented include Michael Raedecker, David Thorpe, Sarah Woodfine, Kerry Harker and George Shaw.
The exhibition will also include John Carr’s original drawings for Harewood House as well as new plans for 21st century improvements planned for the Harewood Estate.
The exhibits, which will include painting, drawing, sculpture and installation, will be installed throughout the House, the State Floor and The Terrace Gallery.
To enhance the exhibition, Harewood is also opening rooms below stairs, where hundreds of servants have lived and worked, and which have previously not been open to the public. Visitors will be able to see previously unopened cupboards stacked high with fine china and original servant uniforms.
Home Truth runs from April 3 to July 5, from noon to 4pm every day. Entrance is free with a House and Grounds ticket from £13 per adult and £6.50 per child. More details at www.harewood.org or call 0113 218 1010.