The National Trust are working with artist Steve Messam to bring art to the water garden for the fourth year of folly! Visit World Heritage Site water garden Studley Royal between May to October to learn more about the history of the site through art.
Folly:
“A building designed to satisfy a fancy or conceit, usually of an eccentric kind”
What's going on for folly! 2020?
For the fourth year of folly! we are working with artist Steve Messam. He's drawn inspiration from a mystery folly: a 16m high funerary pyramid. It was commissioned by William Aislabie and although we have records of this pyramid being designed. We don't know whether it was built and if it was its location is a complete mystery.
The funary pyramid, commisioned by William Aislabie, is a mystery
West Yorkshire Archives
The funary pyramid, commisioned by William Aislabie, is a mystery
folly! is fantastical and bold, uncovering the story of the water garden, and revealing new perspective. When the first follies were built visitors either loved of hated them. It's a debate that's still running up to 250 years later. Do you like art? How does it make you feel? Make sure to let us know on your visit.
What is the folly! art programme?
Studley Royal, the large Georgian water garden, is what makes visiting Fountains Abbey stand out from the crowd; it's the main reason behind the site being granted World Heritage Site status. To celebrate this classic example of an English water garden with its many follies we've been running art programme folly! since 2015.
'Scavenger' with the artist Gary McCann, folly! 2015
Kippa Matthews
'Scavenger' with the artist Gary McCann, folly! 2015
The original Georgian follies were designed as ‘eye-catchers’ – ornate, eccentric installations in the landscape, designed to draw the eye and convey a sense of exoticism and playfulness.
When John and William Aislabie created the garden, their designs deliberately included curious, fanciful objects and alternative viewpoints of the landscape. The idea behind folly! is to develop and re-imagine these concepts through art for our visiotrs today.
Meet the artist
Steve Messam is an artist based in the North of England. He likes to embrace the history and culture behind a place when creating his work, working within the natural assets of a landscape.
He has a particular interest in the cultural reference points inherent in the work of artists living in rural communities and exploiting the assets of landscape, agriculture and community for challenging the preconceptions of contemporary rural arts practice.
folly! artist Steve Messam in Studley Royal water garden
Hannah James
folly! artist Steve Messam in Studley Royal water garden
What's going on throughout this year?
This year is about embracing art, playing with new views and encouraging creativity. Not only will there be two permanent artworks and one pop-up surprise in the water garden but lots of opportunity to take inspiration from folly! yourself with our events programme.
Get stuck into art workshops with local artists Ian Scott Massie and Lesley Seeger or have a look what's on in the workshop at medieval farm building Swanley Grange.
Visitors who peered inside the Octagon Tower, Temple of Piety and the Banqueting House in folly! 2015 were surprised to find extraordinary installations created by artists to re-animate these fanciful garden follies.
Featuring work by artist Mat Collishaw, one of the UK’s most thought provoking contemporary artists, two new installations were co-commissioned with London Gallery Blain|Southern to play with your senses and trick your eyes!
We love photos - and especially photos of Fountains Abbey. If you snap some great pictures tag us or use #fountainsabbey. Follow us to keep up to date on what's going on around the estate.
Planning your day out? Start here to find out what you get on your visit to Fountains Abbey. We warn you though - you'll need a full day to soak up the full experience, starting with the abbey...
You've explored the abbey and now it's time for the water garden. Designed in the 18th century these gardens hold a place on the world stage, granted World Heritage Status in 1986. Find out what you can do on your visit here.
Wondering how to burn off some energy with the kids? Keep them entertained for hours at the large play area at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal. There’s a huge area bursting with fun and challenges for all abilities and room for plenty of imagination too. Find out what you can do at the play area and more about the facilities available here.
