Flatford to celebrate 200th anniversary of Constable’s The Hay Wain

The painting can be found in residence at The National Gallery, but visitors flock to The National Trust’s Flatford, on the River Stour near Dedham, to see the view that inspired the renowned artist's 1821 work.

Many of Constable’s landscapes were painted from the idyllic countryside and the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that surrounds Flatford, where Constable spent his childhood and early life.

To celebrate the bicentenary of the famous painting, the National Trust is working with the Essex Cultural Diversity Project and has commissioned a creative project that celebrates the anniversary by connecting visitors with Constable and countryside.

The successful artists have this week been announced as Laurence Harding and Liz Harrington, photographic artists specialising in experimental and historic photography processes.

Over the summer, the artists will work at Flatford to create an immersive and interactive installation that explores the parallels between photography and painting and celebrates the idyllic views that inspired Constable.

Simon Peachey, manager at Flatford, said “We are delighted that Laurence and Liz are the successful artists.

"What impressed us most was their idea to celebrate the Hay Wain through the use of sustainable photographic techniques.

"In addition, their enthusiasm to share their work with visitors and engage new audiences should ensure that as many people as possible discover more about The Hay Wain”.

The finished piece will evolve over the summer and will be made up of floor to ceiling cyanotype - a photographic printing process that produces cyan-blue prints - panels inspired by the landscape, photographs taken using pinhole cameras and smaller pieces created using a range of other historical and experimental photographic techniques.

Visitors and local community groups will be able to participate in the creation of the final piece, working with the artists at pop-up workshops.

The final work will be on display in The Granary exhibition space at Flatford later in the year

The artists said "We are thrilled and honoured to have been selected for this exciting commission in celebration of the 200-year anniversary of Constable’s The Hay Wain.

"Inspired by Constable and the landscape at Flatford we will be using a range of experimental, historic and sustainable photographic techniques to create a series of new works, including a large-scale participative community-based installation.

"We are really looking forward to working with the Essex Cultural Diversity Project and National Trust over the next few months, as well as engaging with visitors to the site, offering an alternative way to interact with Constable’s work and the location in an accessible, fun and creative way.”

For more information about the project, go to nationaltrust.org.uk/flatford/features/hay-wain-200-a-bigger-canvas.