Two newly commissioned silver artworks, inspired by the history and grounds of Temple Newsam, will go on public display for the first time when Reflections in Silver opens at the house on 12 August.
The exhibition brings together contemporary commissions by silversmiths Miriam Hanid and Yusuke Yamamoto, drawing on Temple Newsam’s collections, gardens and landscape. Alongside the finished pieces, visitors will be able to see a film documenting the design and making process from start to finish, along with sketches, drawings, models and test pieces.
The Phoenix Jug
Hanid made her piece, the Phoenix Jug, in her Suffolk workshop, drawing on the birds of Temple Newsam — in particular an 18th-century side table designed by John Vardy and the Chinese Drawing Room wallpaper, which features birds cut from John James Audubon’s book The Birds of America. The symbolism of the phoenix and its rebirth took on added meaning for Hanid after she became a mother to her daughter in 2022.
She said: “I worked my design using specialist chasing and repoussé techniques within the main body of the jug, which includes the phoenix with its majestic wings, and scroll details taken from around Temple Newsam. The latter were integrated with dynamic flames, originating from a hidden egg at the base, which frames the hallmarks.”
“Even in the face of destruction and loss, a newfound energy can arise from our hearts,” she added. “When all seems hopeless, something new, something surprising, something of beauty, can burst forth from the precious egg buried beneath the ashes — it is up to us to dig until we find it.”
Dappled Swag: Temple Newsam
Yamamoto’s piece, Dappled Swag: Temple Newsam, was made at his base in North Wales and draws on plants found around the estate that also feature prominently in the decor of the 500-year-old house, including English oak, platanus, horse-chestnut, cherry plum, weeping willow, pine, thistle, hollyhock and roses.
He said: “It has been a real privilege to create this vase for Temple Newsam. The house and its remarkable interiors, together with the park and its rich variety of plants and trees, have been a constant source of inspiration throughout the making process.”
“I hope visitors will enjoy discovering the vase within the house,” he added, “and seeing how it responds to the changing light of its surroundings.”
A rare glimpse into silversmithing
Both artists used a technique called chasing, where hammers and punches shape the surface of the silver — visible in the accompanying film alongside the sketches, models and test pieces that will also be on display. Both pieces will join Temple Newsam’s permanent collection once the exhibition ends.
The commissions were funded entirely by the Leeds Art Fund, with the accompanying film funded jointly by the Leeds Art Fund and the Silver Society.
Adam Toole, curator at Temple Newsam House, said: “It’s genuinely fascinating to see and hear about the astonishing level of skill and ingenuity that goes into creating these beautiful works of contemporary art, and even more so considering they have both been inspired by Temple Newsam.”
“The contrast between the two pieces, despite both artists being influenced by the house and estate, also demonstrates how individual their interpretations and styles are,” he added. “As we can already see from our historic collection at the house, using silver to create stunning decorative masterpieces is an artform which goes back centuries, so having the opportunity to add two such incredible contemporary works to the collection and learn from the experts just how that medium has evolved is a real privilege.”
Temple Newsam’s collection already includes historic examples of British silver alongside work by contemporary makers including Ndidi Ekubia, William Lee, Junko Mori, Shinta Nakajima and Hiroshi Suzuki.
Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for economy, said: “Temple Newsam is one of our city’s most dazzling cultural gems, capturing centuries of history through both its stunning setting and astonishing collection.”
“Having the opportunity to add new layers to that story thanks to the work of contemporary artists and makers is wonderful,” she added, “and I’m sure these beautiful creations will enthral visitors to the house for many years to come.”
Reflections in Silver opens on 12 August and runs until 23 October.
