The Art House Presents Emotional Geographies – a living, multisensory, botanical exhibition by Charlotte Smithson, exploring memory, nature and community.
The Art House in Wakefield is proud to announce Emotional Geographies, a powerful new exhibition by artist Charlotte Smithson, opening on 21 June until 25 June. Rooted in personal history and shaped by community collaboration, this immersive installation invites audiences to explore the emotional bonds between people, place and nature through a living, evolving sculptural installation that takes over the gallery space.
Drawing deep inspiration from her grandfather, Yorkshire-born art teacher Peter Hawkin, Emotional
Geographies transforms The Art House gallery into a multisensory botanical environment. In 1959,
Charlotte’s grandfather planted a series of flowering cherry and almond trees along his street,
Belgravia Road in Wakefield – trees which still bloom today as a living symbol of care, creativity
and connection.
Smithson revisits this legacy by working with local communities to co-create a large-scale and suspended sculptural installation filled with tree saplings and specimens, many nurtured by residents across Wakefield.
The engagement programme also invites Wakefield residents to join The Art House’s Studio of Sanctuary
community to engage in nature-based creativity, building urban gardens around the building as a
legacy to the exhibition. Further, saplings and natural elements featured in the installation will be available to communities and local residents to be planted in gardens and public spaces across the City, supporting Wakefield Council’s tree-planting and climate goals. This act of regeneration ensures the project leaves new roots for future generations to grow from.
Smithson, who has a lifelong personal connection to Wakefield, describes the project as an inspiring
collaboration to be part of. “By bringing an infant woodland into the gallery we are inviting people to
enjoy the beautiful and calming qualities of time spent amongst trees. There are specimens in all shapes
and sizes, each with its own unique story. It’s incredible to think of the trees all being rehomed after the
exhibition and going on to live long, healthy lives across the region in people’s gardens and in public
spaces. I think my grandpa would be very touched if he knew the trees he planted here over 60 years
ago had inspired this legacy.”
Emotional Geographies is supported by Wakefield Council’s Culture Grants: Connecting Communities,
and represents a major expansion of The Art House’s inclusive and socially-engaged programming. It
builds on our commitment to opening up contemporary art to those who feel excluded from traditional
spaces and redefines what sculpture and creative engagement can be.
Alongside the exhibition, a vibrant programme of free public creative workshops, such as mindful mark making, restorative yoga and Belgravia Road photo walks as well as Talking Trees presentations by Woodlands Trust expert Roger Parkinson.
The Art House
Drury Lane, Wakefield, WF1 2TE
01924 312 000
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Opening Times
Monday: Closed (appointment only)
Tuesday: 09:30 – 16:00
Wednesday: 09:30 – 16:00
Thursday: 09:30 – 16:00
Friday: 09:30 – 16:00
Saturday: 09:30 – 16:00
Sunday: Closed
