Sheep to light up Northumberland landmarks as part of…

Sheep to light up Northumberland landmarks as part of Lindisfarne Gospels homecoming

A brand new visual arts trail will light up Northumberland this autumn to celebrate the arrival of the Lindisfarne Gospels in the North East.

Inspired by the Gospels' themes of light, sheep and pilgrimage, Illuminated Sheep by Deepa Mann-Kler will see a flock of life-sized sheep lit up in bright colours at some of the county's most evocative landmarks, including Bamburgh Castle, Vindolanda, Woodhorn Museum. Individual sheep will then be adopted and customised by local communities across the county to create a free Art Trail before the flock are rounded up for a final gathering at the Festival of Flame at Hexham Abbey on December 2.

Illuminated Sheep is part of a programme of events inspired by the display of the Lindisfarne Gospels at the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle this autumn. This is the first time the ancient book, which was created during Anglo-Saxon England and is on loan from the British Library, has been on display in the region since 2013 when 100,000 people visited it at Durham Cathedral.

Illuminated Sheep has been commissioned by Northumberland County Council and it is part of the cultural programme of the Hexham High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ). Katy Taylor, artistic director of the Queen's Hall in Hexham, said: "Illuminated Sheep will show our fantastic county in a new light, encouraging both visitors and locals to get out and about to explore Northumberland’s unique landscape, heritage and culture as they find the flock this autumn.

"By offering a chance to adopt the sheep as well as exhibiting the whole flock at some of the county’s most iconic venues, this project aims to bring communities together in a celebration of the return of the Lindisfarne Gospels to our region, creating a playful modern day pilgrimage that’s accessible to everyone."

Example image of Illuminated Sheep in magenta (Deepa Mann-Kler)

Deepa Mann-Kler, who has previously worked in the North East with the Durham Lumiere, is the artist who has created Illuminated Sheep. She primarily creates neon and light installations that explore the concepts of belonging and identity that are deeply rooted in communities and has exhibited internationally in China, the USA, Germany and Ireland.

Deepa said: "I am so excited to see the full flock appear in the landscape. We need light, colour and humour now more than ever and as the nights art to draw in, I really hope that audiences flock to the installations and find joy in this shared experience."

As well as the art trail and exhibits and Northumberland landmarks, there will also be a free programme of activities for schools and family across the county while the Gospels is in the region. The programme includes creative workshops, activities in libraries, and an online activity pack created by North East artist Bridget Hamilton.

Glen Sanderson, Leader of Northumberland County Council and North of Tyne Combined Authority Cabinet Member for Culture, Creative and Rural, said: "Northumberland County Council is delighted to be commissioning this engaging and inclusive project. We are proud to support innovative artists that connect our heritage and communities and we hope this will be an enjoyable and memorable way to celebrate welcoming the Gospels back to the region."

Illuminated Sheep event listings

September 30 - October 2 - Bamburgh Castle

October 7 - 9 - Vindolanda

October 14 - 16 - Woodhorn Museum

October 24 - November 30 - Art Trail

December 2 - Hexham abbey Festival of Flame

The Illuminated Sheep art trail is free, but entry fees apply when the sheep are exhibited at venues. For more information, visit the Queen's Hall website.

Will you be taking part in any of the activities planned around the Lindisfarne Gospels return to the region this autumn? Let us know!

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