Wolterton Hall, an 18th-century Palladian country house in Norfolk, England, has reopened to the public after a restoration completed by its new owner Richard Ellis. The estate is launching a water-themed exhibition titled "Sea State," featuring site-specific works by artists Maggi Hambling and Ro Robertson. Robertson's outdoor steel sculpture "The Swell" will be the first permanent outdoor artwork on the grounds, while Hambling presents new pieces from her "Wall of Water" series and an installation called "Time" dedicated to her late partner. The exhibition is co-curated by Simon Oldfield and Gemma Rolls-Bentley.
This exhibition signals Wolterton Hall's ambition to become a major destination for outdoor art in Norfolk, potentially rivaling nearby Houghton Hall, which has hosted artists like Antony Gormley and Stephen Cox. The project reflects a growing trend of historic estates integrating contemporary art into their landscapes, using site-specific works to engage with natural features like the estate's 10-acre lake. Additionally, Wolterton plans to host artist residencies and collaborate with local collectives like the Clay Research Group, emphasizing community engagement and environmental themes.