The Birds, The Bees and The Blossom

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Seaton Deleval Hall, National Trust, 2025

The birds, the bees, and the blossom celebrated pollinating insects and the life cycle of flowers. Inspired by the blossoming plants found at Seaton Delaval Hall the work explored the ecosystems that rely on blossom; the tiny pollinators who help produce our food and flowers such as bees, moths and beetles, as well as migrating birds who rely on the fruits that grow from Spring blossom.

The spinning light installation threw shadows of laburnum, wisteria, rhododendron, hawthorn and apple blossom across the historic beer cellar. Circling these plants were birds such as fieldfare, redwing and black caps as well as hoverflies, ladybirds and bumblebees 

The artworks were developed alongside community participants from Northern Butterflies, New Hartley First School and Changing Lives, who explored the biodiversity created by blossoming plants through workshops in drawing, shadow puppetry and collage. The work featured sound design by Nick John William and Orrery construction by Jona Aal.  Photography by Bec Hughes