Landscape Art Commissions Awarded – Artists Announced

Isle of Wight National Landscape and Creative Island are pleased to announce Trudie Wilson, Laura Hathaway and Hector MacInnes as the commissioned artists for Landed, part of ‘Can You Hear Us?’ a celebration of creativity and culture taking place in Autumn this year.

The artists have been awarded grants of £16,000 and £10,000 to develop creative responses to the Isle of Wight National Landscape, working in collaboration with young people. Funded by Arts Council England and DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) and supported by English Heritage, The National Trust and Forestry England.

Photo of artist in warm clothes on a wild beach looking out to sea
Trudie Wilson by Dominika Baerova
Photo of a male artist wearing an orange and black checked shirt outside in front of a barn
Hector MacInnes by Julia Rebaudo
Photo of a female artist in summer clothes amongst coastal wildflowers with misty cliffs and sea in the background
Laura Hathaway at Compton by Bruce Webb

“The Isle of Wight National Landscape is proud to be working with Creative Island to bring new interpretations of iconic heritage assets in the protected landscape on the Isle of Wight. As part of the wider Arts Council funded ‘Can You Hear Us?’ project, IWNL believe this collaboration of artists, arts organisations, funders and the Island’s communities will showcase our creative industries to the widest audiences both locally and further afield.”

Richard Grogan, Isle of Wight National Landscape Manager


Art, nature and heritage projects for young people

Seventy-nine applications were received from a mix of local, national and international artists, seven artists were shortlisted and the Isle of Wight National Landscape youth committee were involved in the selection of the final artists. Artists were shortlisted based on their ability to develop ambitious artistic responses that combined nature connection, heritage, collaborative processes and involvement for young people in meaningful, fun or engaging ways.


“I’m excited to explore and share my love of this remarkable landscape through my art practice this year, and I look forward to the resulting work connecting with our local community.”

Trudie Wilson, Isle of Wight Artist

Commissioned artists and locations

All three artists are familiar with island life; Trudie Wilson and Laura Hathaway live and work on the Isle of Wight, Hector MacInnes grew up at the opposite end of the UK, on the Isle of Skye.

  • Trudie Wilson will create a site-specific response to Appuldurcombe House, starting with an artist residency, research, recordings and exploration of the historic landscape with young people
  • Laura Hathaway will respond to the geological environment at Compton Bay using a multi-sensory approach
  • Hector MacInnes will work with young people to create a re-imagined interpretations of St Catherine’s Oratory

Trudie Wilson at St Catherine’s Oratory by Dominika Baerova

“Landed is about giving artists the space to respond thoughtfully and imaginatively to the Island’s landscapes and heritage, while placing young people at the heart of that process. These temporary commissions invite curiosity, conversation and reflection in the moment, allowing us to experiment, to listen, and to explore how art can help us understand place differently. As part of Can You Hear Us?, Landed contributes to a wider programme that is about making creativity visible and accessible, and giving young people a meaningful voice in how their place is understood and experienced.”

Georgia Newman, Deputy Director CREATIVE ISLAND

Join the celebration

Events and immersive experiences will take place in October, with everyone invited to share in the discoveries made, get creative in the landscape and to connect with nature in inspirational ways.

Photo of grasses used as a paint brush with black paint on white paper
Supporting Young Minds – young peoples work Independent Arts
Paintings of lose ink circle on paper on the floor, artist arm blurred in the foreground
Laura Hathaway Ritual detail photo by Julian Winslow

For more information sign up to the Isle of Wight National Landscape newsletter –  Newsletter signup – Isle of Wight National Landscape or follow on social media @isleofwightnl

Website – https://isleofwight-nl.org.uk/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IsleofWightNL

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/isleofwightnl

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@IsleofWightNL

Find out more about Creative Island and the wider Can You Hear Us? project on the Creative Island website – Creative Island – The Cultural Development Agency for the Isle of Wight

Can You Hear Us logo
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