A major new commission at The Bowes Museum will see acclaimed artist Pippa Hale reimagine the museum’s renowned ceramic collection into a vibrant and interactive experience for all ages in the exhibition, Pippa Hale: pet project, opening on 26 July 2025.

Pet, play and personal connections lie at the heart of this exhibition. Pets hold symbolic and emotional importance across cultures and have taken on roles from status symbols to treasured family members. 51% of UK households own a pet and throughout art history pets have been a source of inspiration for artists, including in the form of ceramics. The founders of the museum, Joséphine and John Bowes, were pioneering collectors of ceramics from the 16th to 19th centuries, with collected works representing nearly every known factory of the time. Joséphine adored her dog, Bernadine, so much that she asked artist Antoine Dury to paint her portrait, a touching tribute to the special connection between people and their pets.

Turning fragile into shatterproof, this playful exhibition, Pippa Hale: pet project, invites visitors to engage with ceramic pets boldy and hands-on, suggesting ceramics are and can be fun. The exhibition is divided into 3 key areas including a playable sculpture section, a ceramic and community contribution display and a creative space. It’s a mini playground for curiosity, especially for children and families to see art from fresh, fun perspectives.

Entering the exhibition, visitors are met with a dynamic and immersive art experience. The museum’s precious Dog (c1768) and Cat (c1875) have been reimagined and transformed into 24 giant beanbags that are 18,000 times the size of the original objects. These 2.5m high, soft sculptural forms (‘squishees’) encourage visitors to engage physically, they can hug, climb and create imaginary play scenes, nurturing personal connections with these larger-than-life shapes as if they were cherished pets or beloved toys. This space challenges conventional notions of preservation and access, engaging with the art in a playful, yet thought-provoking way.

The exhibition focus then shifts to a carefully curated collection of over 50 ceramic pet figurines from the museum’s own collection, presented alongside treasured pet-related ceramics submitted by members of the public. This space offers an opportunity to explore the historical and cultural contexts of these often-overlooked objects. Visitors will be able to learn about the factories that produced these ceramics, who the intended buyers were and the political, economic and social conditions that influenced their creation. Through this exploration, visitors will gain insight into the evolving roles of pets in society and the ways these objects reflect broader historical trends, drawing parallels with contemporary society.

Visitors are then offered a creative experience, inviting people to take part in self-led activities like making origami animals as well as workshops painting and decorating bisque replicas of the Cat and Dog ceramics. This interactive space provides visitors with a chance to engage in the artistic process. As they personalise their own creations, visitors not only gain insight into the technical aspects of ceramics but also explore the creative freedom inherent in the art form. By creating, visitors can express their own unique artistic vision, making the experience educational, creative and highly personal.

Together these spaces offer an exhibition which is not only visually engaging but immersive and in turn making the museum a welcoming, lively destination for all visitors.

Play is central to Hale’s artistic practice. Her work seeks to close the gap between past and present, drawing on history and playfully interpreting it through the lens of contemporary art to connect with audiences in new and exciting ways. Bringing together the museum’s ceramics collection and Hale’s vision enables the museum to fulfil its aim of supporting contemporary artists, designers and makers to reimagine the collection.

Artist, Pippa Hale said: “I am so chuffed to be working with The Bowes Museum as I’ve admired it from afar for many years! It has been a privilege to spend time with their extensive ceramics collection and to shine a light on the figurines of pets, some of which are truly exquisite and others quite hilarious. There’s such a broad range and I wanted to find a way for people of all ages and abilities to connect with them physically and enjoy them in different ways. I’ve owned cats all my life – Dusty and Ash with whom I currently co-habit – certainly make a house a home and I wouldn’t be without them. I hope this exhibition will spotlight our pet friends and how much joy they bring us.”

Vicky Sturrs, Director of Programming and Collections at The Bowes Museum, commented: “I love Pippa’s work and the way she marries people, history and play in her what she does. It’s so exciting to see Pippa Hale: pet project come to life in the museum. It’s a fantastic way to engage visitors with our ceramic collection in a fresh and interactive way. Pippa’s blend of creativity, play and storytelling is a perfect match for our mission to inspire and connect people with art. I’m so looking forward to seeing how our visitors interact with her work and form new relationships with objects in our collection”

Jenny Waldman, Director, Art Fund, said: “Pippa Hale: pet project offers a playful new way to experience The Bowes Museum’s remarkable ceramics collection. The exhibition reimagines historic objects and invites visitors of all ages to connect creatively with art. I’m delighted that Art Fund has been able to support The Bowes Museum in realising this commission – a wonderful example of how museums can reinterpret their collections to inspire curiosity and delight in new audiences.”