Of the Sea and Of the Sky: A Northumberland Menagerie

‘A Northumberland Menagerie’ is a stunning series of new exhibitions by artist Bethan Maddocks.  

A ‘menagerie’ is the term used for a collection of wild animals kept in captivity for exhibition. Museums Northumberland and Bethan Maddocks invite you to explore our menagerie of extraordinary new animal-themed exhibitions across our four museums. Discover stories of Northumberland’s animals – past and present, real, and imagined – through Bethan’s magical, paper-cut installations.  

At Berwick Museum and Art Gallery, ‘Of the Sea and Of the Sky’ shines a spotlight on the rich diversity of Berwick’s borderland coast and explores connected themes of migration, national identity, trade, and local ecosystems. Follow the journeys of migratory birds through an evolving installation of national flags and discover the ‘oddest consignment from Berwick Quayside’. In the main gallery space a spectacular, spot-lit centrepiece encircles visitors within a swirling mass of birds and fish that underpin Berwick’s fishing and tourism industries.  

With artist thanks to: Jona Aal for technical assistance, Catriona Maddocks and Rémi Bec for artist assistance, the Staff at Museums Northumberland, the many artists, collaborators, and researchers who helped along the way and to all the communities, both human and animal, who donated their time and stories to ‘A Northumberland Menagerie’. 

‘A Northumberland Menagerie’ has been made possible with public funding from Northumberland County Council and Arts Council England.