Internationally-renowned artist and Wilmslow resident, Susie MacMurray is creating an extraordinary large-scale artwork to be displayed at Tatton Park this summer.
Working with a small team of volunteers from East Cheshire Hospice, Susie is creating the new work entitled ‘Gathering’ which will be suspended from the rotunda in the Mansion staircase.
Made up of thousands of individual elements, Gathering has been inspired by the work of the hospice as well as referencing the costume ball which was held at Tatton in 1897 to celebrate William Egerton’s earldom.
The red velvet which makes up the elements of Gathering is the same colour as the silk velvet dress worn by William’s wife, the countess, at the ball.
An additional exhibition to coincide with the artwork, ‘The Tatton Ball’, will provide an insight into what aristocrats of the period wore along with the music and the colour of high society entertaining.
The volunteers who have been working with Susie have come to the project through their involvement with East Cheshire Hospice.
Lynne Tait, whose husband was cared for at the hospice in 2016, commented: “I really wanted to do something to support the hospice when they had been so wonderful with my husband at the end of his life.
“I feel more like a lucky contributor than a volunteer, who along with a wonderful team, is helping Susie create her Gathering vision.”
Lynne added: “It’s a privilege to see the work developing over the weeks and months that we have been working on it.”
Each of the individually-made elements which comprise Gathering will be on sale while it’s on display and will be distributed to buyers once the installation has been taken down in October.
All proceeds from the sale of these elements will go to East Cheshire Hospice to help them provide their invaluable service to those with life limiting illness in our community.
Gathering will be on display in the Mansion at Tatton Park from 28th June – 6th October 2019.
The Mansion is open between 1-5pm (last entry 4pm, closed Monday and Tuesday). Normal admission fees apply.
The installation has been arranged by Art Fair Cheshire, which is celebrating 20 years of raising funds for East Cheshire Hospice.
Full details can be found at www.theartfair.org.uk