Image copyright Heidi Laughton, published here with the artists kind permission.
Living in Bath, I consider myself very lucky to be surrounded by so much creativity. From the striking Georgian architecture, to the brilliant museums, art galleries, independent shops and vibrant community of artists, there’s certainly no shortage of inspiration. So I thought I’d dedicate a little space on my blog to sharing some of the things that inspire me as an interior designer in Bath.
Today, I’d like to talk about an upcoming exhibition at the American Museum by my friend Heidi Laughton. Heidi is an extremely talented photographer who, alongside her day job shooting corporate and editorial photography, is working on a personal fine art project. This project is a celebration of Native cultures in the United States and is the subject of her latest exhibition.
Image copyright Heidi Laughton, published here with the artists kind permission.
Image copyright Heidi Laughton, published here with the artists kind permission.
‘Spirit Hawk Eye’ is a series of portraits highlighting the present-day customs of the Native peoples of California, Arizona and New Mexico. It opens on March 14th and runs right through until the end of November, so you’ve got plenty of time to catch what will undoubtedly be a captivating and beautiful show. You can read more about the process and story behind Heidi’s project here, check out her personal website here, and follow her on Facebook here.
The American Museum
I couldn’t write about Heidi’s show without talking a bit about the venue; especially when it’s as beautiful as the American Museum. The museum is dedicated (unsurprisingly) to American decorative and folk arts. It’s the only museum of its kind outside of the United States, so it’s a vitally important place for education and inspiration in Europe.
The museum is housed in Claverton Manor, a striking Georgian building with a fascinating history of its own. The extensive grounds include the remnants of the old pleasure garden, woodland and ancient meadows and are as beloved and well-kept as the manor.
Most interestingly to me, the interiors of Claverton Manor have been designed to reflect how traditional American families have lived over the past 300 years. There are a series of display rooms depicting a typical late 17th century Puritan home, an opulent New Orleans bedroom from around 1860 and even an 18th century tavern.
Similarly, the gardens feature their own American elements. The Mount Vernon Garden, for example, is a replica of the garden created by George Washington at his home on the Potomac River. I love wandering around the grounds, taking in the architecture of the manor, its surrounding contemporary buildings and the landscaped gardens. I would highly recommend a visit!
