Art at Mottisfont

Visitors enjoying an art exhibition at Mottisfont, Hampshire — Visit our gallery throughout the year for changing exhibitions

Mottisfont became the centre of a creative circle in the early 20th century thanks to last owner Maud Russell. We continue those traditions today with up to five major exhibitions a year in a spacious art gallery. We also support artists in residence to create site-specific installations here.

An artistic past

Maud Russell made Mottisfont into a vibrant hub of artistic activity from the 1930s onwards. She supported and commissioned work. She invited many Modern British artists, critics and designers for long weekends of croquet and creative conversation here.

Artist and collector Derek Hill was a frequent visitor. He honoured his long friendship with the Russells by leaving a substantial collection of 20th-century art to us.

Here at Mottisfont we have a permanent display of 20th-century art and changing exhibitions in a spacious art gallery. We also support artists in residence to create site-specific installations here.

Current exhibitions

Baggage Reclaim, A cartoon illustration by Bill Stott — Baggage Reclaim

Comedy and Commentary

Until 24 April: discover witty works from some of Britain's best cartoonists, in a new art exhibition that explores the distinguished history of British cartooning.

Have a chuckle with our cartoon exhibition

Scottish painter Joan Eardley (1921-1963)

Joan Eardley Display at Mottisfont

Discover the work of Joan Eardley (1921 - 1963) in the Red Room here at Mottisfont. From 19th May 2021, three of Eardleys works in the Derek Hill collection will be displayed together, for the first time ever, as part of a nationwide celebration to mark her centenary.

Find out more about our Joan Eardley collections

An oil painting of Lake Como by the artist Derek Hill — Lake Como from Mrs Heinz's Villa, Derek Hill

The Derek Hill Collection

We're home to a collection of 20th-century art, including works by L.S. Lowry, Barbara Hepworth and Graham Sutherland. They were gifted to us by the artist Derek Hill, in memory of a long friendship with last owner Maud Russell.

Delve into our permanent art collection

Art installations

Pilgrim

Step into the beech circle for a sound experience combining Japanese percussion and bass baritone voice, inspired by Mottisfont’s heritage as a place of pilgrimage.

Hywel Davies is a composer, sound artist and installation artist. His wide-ranging output includes the sound installation Test Polyphony which was installed in the Cellarium here from June 2013 to April 2014.

This installation taps into the experience of the pilgrim: as an outsider, observer or wanderer. The work is written for Japanese virtuoso percussionist Kuniko Kato and Englsh bass-baritone Laurence Williams. The music runs on a loop, broadcast from speakers embedded in four hemlock tree trunks.