Controversy Erupts Over Art Installation At National Trust House In Somerset‌ ‌

Nicola Turner’s art piece ‘’The Uninvited Guest from the Unremembered Past” in Tyntesfield House in Somerset. NATIONAL TRUST / JAMES BECK VIA SWNS

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An art installation at a National Trust house has caused a stink – with some claiming it looks like ”a big pile of poo”.

Called ‘’The Uninvited Guest from the Unremembered Past” the new exhibition is at Tyntesfield House in Somerset.

The pieces by artist Nicola Turner are made of organic ‘dead’ materials – furniture legs, wool and horsehair and are “winding their way around the house”.

But some onlookers say one piece, in particular, coming out of the fireplace looks like a pile of poo.

One comment on the house’s Facebook page said: ”Can’t quite believe it it’s appalling whose idea was this?!

”It just looks like poo with legs I’m not normally critical of art but this is really daft.”

Another said: ”Goodness! Anyone would think that Tyntesfield was built on exploiting guano.”

One added: ”I think this exhibition is absolutely disgusting.

”I cannot see what this has to do with the National Trust, Tyntesfield, the Gibbs family or, indeed, anything.

”Why spoil a heritage site with this? I have American visitors coming shortly and this venue is now crossed off the list.

”If it has to be installed why not put it in a separate building somewhere for people who enjoy this kind of ‘art’.

”Parents are being given warnings that their children might be upset by it…. is this what we want?”

Another said: ”What’s that in the fireplace? It looks like a big pile of poo.”

The National Trust said: ”Throughout the house, Turner has created a series of evocative installations made from organic materials, such as wool and horsehair.

”’These materials hold traces of memory, exploring ways of listening to past, present and future, inviting us to reflect on Tyntesfield’s history.

”As well as some of our grand public rooms, like the Library and Main Hall, you’ll see spaces not normally open to the public, including bedrooms and storerooms.

”The wool and horsehair installations draw influence from the house, weaving around and cascading from objects in Tyntesfield’s historic collection, like furniture, books and ceramics.

”The exhibition will be open to visitors until 3 November during house opening hours.
Booking isn’t needed, and entry to the exhibition is included in standard admission.
For more information, check out our website.”

Other commentators were more taken with the art.

One said: ”Went to see the Nicola Turner exhibit today. I loved it!

”It adds something to a staid Victorian environment that provokes thought, and was visually stunning.

”I can understand that it is not to everybody’s taste, but people are apparently unwilling to share the Tyntesfield environment with more open minded visitors.

”It is not permanently damaging anything, but temporarily opening a window on some different perspectives.

”If some visitors are unwilling to look through that window that is their prerogative, but please don’t begrudge the opportunity to the rest of us!

Another said: ”I went today. I liked the exhibition.

”To me it represented the strife of those involved in the wool industry who worked hard for the owners to fund the lifestyle of those in the house.

”Without the workers the house would not be what it is. In a way it is built on wool. Not sure if this was the artist’s intention but that is how it spoke to me.”

Artist Nicola Turner told the BBC: “I have been fascinated by seeing the broken items previously owned by the Gibbs Family and in-store at Tyntesfield.

“The glimpses beneath the tears in fabric. The stuffing breaking free. The bowels of the furniture, the layers of materials.”

Produced in association with SWNS Talker

(Additional reporting provided by Talker News)