Artist in Residence 2022/23

Sophie Hacker

Sophie's experience of the residency so far:

'The joyful challenge of the residency has been to work in fresh ways, explore new methods and materials, and find a visual language that expresses my response to the beauty, earthiness, intensity of observation, and spirituality of all that Gilbert White House and Gardens stands for.

I have been collecting some of the most abundant flowers (with permission) and pressing them, along with leaves that have naturally fallen from trees on the estate.  I am using them in an experimental way in a series of collages and images, using natural dyes and inks, scraps of recycled papers, and wildlife illustrations cut from old books.

I am making inks using foraged iron and copper scraps, and oak galls. It’s the first time I’ve made my own inks. It’s a slightly smelly business, involving vinegar, salt, sulphates and gum arabic.  I use these wherever possible in my journal. The oak gall ink also uses Gilbert’s 1765 beer, as part of the traditional recipe I am using.'   

"Torrential rain doesn't stop us finding beauty in nature at Gilbert White's House & Gardens. Here are four images of the huge cedar branch at the top of the great mead. The glossy rich colours are brought out by the rain." - Sophie, Nov 22