An exhibition of new work at Tyntesfield brings Gothic into the present day, as contemporary artists explore the house’s history and rethink what Gothic means now.
‘Reviving Gothic’, hosted in Tyntesfield’s Drawing Room, shows how style has changed over more than 900 years - from medieval buildings to a creative design that still inspires art, fashion and storytelling today. Through brand new artworks, the exhibition reveals Gothic as something alive and always changing, helping us explore ideas about identity, emotion and what it means to be human.
Gothic first began in 12th-century France, shaped by religion and seen in dramatic buildings with detailed designs. It later fell out of fashion, before returning in the 18th century when people became interested in imagination, nature and emotion again. The Victorians brought Gothic back once more, looking to the past to understand a fast-changing world.
Tyntesfield is part of this story. Created by the Gibbs family, the house is full of Gothic Revival design, from detailed decoration to medieval-inspired features. The Drawing Room was once one of the most impressive spaces in the house, filled with colour, pattern and craftsmanship.
Now, for the first time in over 100 years, Gothic returns to this room in a completely new way.
Dr Miranda Garrett, Property Curator at Tyntesfield, said ‘The artists in this exhibition approach Gothic from very different perspectives and work across a range of mediums, but all use it to think through issues that feel urgent today. They draw on the past to explore the present, showing that at Tyntesfield, Gothic history isn’t fixed - it’s still happening.’
Six artists have created unique works inspired by Tyntesfield for the exhibition. Their pieces explore ideas like global connections, the environment, unmasked stories, identity and why Gothic still fascinates us today.
The exhibition features a range of contemporary responses to Gothic themes and histories. It includes a sound installation by Tom Marshman, A Very Gothic Gathering, imagining a dinner party where figures from Gothic history meet and share their stories; a sculpture by Ruby Taglight that transforms a Victorian chair to reveal the environmental and human cost behind the wealth that built Tyntesfield; and a portrait by Giuliana Terran that introduces a modern Gothic figure into the historic house.
Other exhibits include a mixed-media work by Sara Choudhrey exploring Islamic influences on Gothic architecture, an installation by Brittany Louis using a marionette to examine identity and belonging, and a cabinet by Matthew Merttens and his apprentices revealing the hidden skill and labour behind Gothic interiors.
The artist behind ‘A very Gothic gathering’, Tom Marshman, said ‘I imagined a fantasy dinner party bringing together figures who embody a queer Gothic sensibility, shaped by transformation, hidden lives and darker undercurrents. The work allowed me to bring this imagined gathering to life through actors, reflecting my fascination with the Gothic and its enduring pull on my darker side. These guests, all outsiders in their own way, have stayed with me.’
Visitors are invited to share their own thoughts and feelings about Gothic, helping to show that it’s not just about the past - it’s something everyone can connect with and shape in their own way.
Visit Tyntesfield between Saturday 2 May and Friday 31 July to see the exhibition in the Drawing Room.
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