Their Most Obedient Servant is a two-part installation celebrating Harewood’s Chippendale collection. One part – Root and Branch – is in the Terrace Gallery and the other – Family Tree – can be found in the centre of the Courtyard (the 18^th century stables).

Geraldine Pilgrim was asked to consider the relationship between a finished piece of Chippendale furniture and its original material, wood. Seeing the furniture, she remarked:

“…the materials from which they are made can be forgotten or not realised what the source of these masterpieces actually is – very simply a tree.”

Root and Branch lays bare the connection between the grandest finished piece of furniture and the natural energy and raw material of a tree.

 “Their Most Obedient servant” is the term used by Thomas Chippendale at the end of his introduction to his ground-breaking furniture design catalogue, The Gentleman & Cabinet-Maker’s Director.

This exhibition was kindly supported by Arts Council England

Geraldine Pilgrim

Geraldine Pilgrim is an artist who works across theatre and the visual arts; making site-specific installations and performances using a range of materials depending on the commission and site.

She is known for her evocative installations and performances which transform spaces and places, creating a contemporary dialogue with historic houses, buildings and landscapes.