Vanbrugh Croquet
"Vanbrugh Croquet" was an architectural outdoor art installation celebrating the work of architect John Vanbrugh, specifically his designs for Seaton Delaval Hall in Northumberland. The artwork was commissioned for the North East Emerging Artists Prize and was exhibited in the gardens of the National Trust's Seaton Delaval Hall.
This interactive piece drew inspiration from the game of croquet, inviting participants to hit wooden balls with mallets through a series of architectural hoops inspired by Vanbrugh's models of Seaton Delaval Hall. The installation was set up on the lawn where the southeast wing of Seaton Delaval Hall once stood before it was destroyed by fire. The artwork reimagined this lost architecture in a miniaturized, three-dimensional, and interactive format. Given the archaeological significance of the site, the installation was designed and executed with careful consideration and did not involve any groundworks.
The artwork was crafted from robust, sustainable timber and painted with colourful, weather-resistant finishes suitable for outdoor use and public interaction. Timber fabrication techniques employed CNC equipment and digital architectural drawings of Seaton Delaval Hall in the construction of the installation.
"Vanbrugh Croquet" proved to be highly successful in engaging the public and was re-exhibited at Seaton Delaval Hall as part of the National Trust's Summer of Play events in 2023 and 2024.
“The prize really builds on that rich historical tradition the Hall and its family have of supporting artists from a variety of disciplines. Over the 4 exhibition weeks, we welcomed 12,244 visitors and the Vanbrugh Croquet was in constant use! It was such a popular hit with our visitors, we will be bringing it out again throughout the summer holiday as part of Summer of Play.”
Emma Thomas, Seaton Delaval Hall General Manager
Image credits
VANBRUGH CROQUET, 2023, Cabinet of Curiosity Studio, outdoor art commission
Photos: The House of Hues Photography and Edmond Salter
Northumberland, UK
25 May - 11 June 2023, 24 July - 3 September 2023, July - September 2024