Illuminated sheep arts trail to light up Northumberland this autumn

A brand new visual arts trail will light up Northumberland to celebrate the arrival of the Lindisfarne Gospels in the North East this autumn.

Illuminated Sheep by Deepa Mann-Kler is inspired by the Gospels’ themes of light, sheep and pilgrimage, and will see a flock of life-sized sheep lit up in bright colours at some of the region’s most iconic locations including Bamburgh Castle, Vindolanda and Woodhorn Museum.

Individual sheep will then be adopted and customised by local communities across the county to create a free Art Trail, before the flock are rounded up for a final gathering at the Festival of Flame at Hexham Abbey on December 2.

Commissioned by Northumberland County Council, Illuminated Sheep is being developed and managed by Queen's Hall Arts and the Hexham Culture Network. It is part of the Cultural Programme of Hexham High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) and is funded by North of Tyne Combined Authority.

Queen’s Hall artistic director Katy Taylor said: “Illuminated Sheep will show our fantastic county in a new light, encouraging both visitors and locals to get out and about to explore Northumberland’s unique landscape, heritage and culture as they find the flock this autumn.

“By offering a chance to adopt the sheep as well as exhibiting the whole flock at some of the county’s most iconic venues, this project aims to bring communities together in a celebration of the return of the Lindisfarne Gospels to our region, creating a playful modern day pilgrimage that’s accessible to everyone.”

Deepa Mann-Kler is an internationally renowned multidisciplinary artist, primarily creating neon and light installations that explore concepts of belonging and identity that are deeply rooted in communities. She has exhibited internationally in solo and group exhibitions in China, America, Germany and Ireland, and her previous work in the North East of England includes Lumiere in Durham.