Expressions in Blue: Monumental Porcelain by Felicity Aylieff

About

Towering sculptures by renowned ceramicist Felicity Aylieff are being exhibited for the first time at Petworth House and Park. The exhibition takes place across the whole property including installations throughout the house, and two monolithic obelisks in the grounds.

Expressions in Blue continues Petworth's rich history of collaboration with contemporary artists. Renowned ceramicist Felicity Aylieff has created several new pieces, revealed for the first time. Highly decorative floral fencai‑enamelled vessels take their inspiration from intricate wood carvings by Grinling Gibbons, while other sculptures draw on Petworth's magnificent collection of 17th‑century Chinese porcelain.

Occupying several rooms throughout the mansion, highlights include the Marble Hall, where visitors are able to walk around and through a 'forest' of huge blue and white pots, painted in cobalt blue glazes with brushstrokes full of movement. Climbing Petworth's Grand Staircase, they can look down on another monolithic work, whilst outside two soaring obelisks stand between the house and the Upper Pond.

In the exhibition gallery, film and photographs reveal the remarkable 'making' process and its sheer physicality. A selection of Aylieff's fascinating mark-making tools are displayed, including giant horsehair brushes used to whip around the vessels to create energetic flicks and splashes.

"Seeing my sculptures within Petworth's grand baroque setting is both exhilarating and humbling" says Aylieff. "Petworth House has been a profound source of inspiration for me, both for its extraordinary architectural presence and its deep connection to history and landscape. The light, space, and sense of permanence within the house allow the work to resonate differently, echoing both the heritage of porcelain and the timeless atmosphere of Petworth's collection."

Aylieff's journey towards working at an unprecedented scale began with a visit to China in 2005 when she became captivated by the city of Jingdezhen, known for centuries for its high-quality porcelain production.

Over the next two decades, Aylieff has spent long periods living and working in China each year, developing close working relationships with craftspeople who have accumulated specialist skills and knowledge over generations.

Through a long-standing process of creative collaboration with them, Aylieff has forged an ambitious and experimental path combining tradition with innovation across cultures. This has enabled her to push the limits of her work in a notoriously challenging material.

Property Curator of Petworth House Dr. Emily Knight says: "The dramatic grandeur of Aylieff's work conjures the same sense of spectacle and awe as Petworth's baroque interiors. This exhibition is a conversation between the past and present, and we're thrilled to be showing new work by Aylieff in the place that inspired it."

Expressions in Blue: Monumental Porcelain by Felicity Aylieff will be exhibited at Petworth House and Park from 23 May to 27 September 2026. Entry is free after normal admission to the house (free for National Trust members).