Cheeseburn 1 - A Walk Through the Grounds
By
Carole McCourt
2019 - 2020
Unveiling a drawing buried in a well
- Installation Art
- Sculpture
- Printmaking
- Mixed Media
- Spiritual & Philosophical
- Environment & Sustainability
- Personal Narratives & Identity
- Heritage & Archives
- Site-responsive Practice
- Drawing In The Landscape
- Walking As Method
- Duration
- Material Process
- Heritage
- Collaboration With Nature
Dimensions
Mixed dimensions
Drawing Artist-in-Residence, 2019–2020
This project emerged from a year-long residency at Cheeseburn Sculpture Gardens and was funded by Newcastle University Challenge Labs in collaboration with Philippa Carter (Geography), exploring the question of what makes a place — including physical, social, and emotional dimensions.
As the first drawing artist-in-residence, my aim was to introduce drawing into the landscape as a sculptural and performative practice. Working through walking, repetition, and duration, I explored drawing as an embodied act that unfolds alongside the site rather than representing it.
The work was informed by a folio of John Dobson’s architectural plans (1813) and by Joanna Riddell’s commitment to restoring the house and gardens. Over ten months, large-format charcoal and ink drawings were buried across different areas of the grounds. Exposure to weather, soil, and human intervention allowed natural and man-made forces to alter, erode, or partially disintegrate the works.
The resulting drawings are collaborations between site, time, and material, shaped by processes beyond the artist’s control.
The same drawing 6 months later.
Drawings placed outside exposed to the elements to continue evolving
i believe in yew, joanna....
These drawings were made by wrapping fabric around discarded iron railings, and left for 6 months
Eco prints using yew from the gardens and installed
Helping Artists Keep Going
Axis is an artist-led charity supporting contemporary visual artists with resources, connection, and visibility.