2009 Home Truths – Artists’ Images of Where We Live

In response to the 250th Anniversary of the laying of Harewood House’s foundation stone, a major exhibition Home Truths explored the universally powerful concept of home. Harewood itself was conceived as the ultimate dream home of its time. A radical statement in terms of taste and design, what we now see as a classic country house was then an expression of new and radical ideas.

More than 35 works by contemporary artists, many of them internationally recognised, were located in the Terrace Gallery and on the State Floor alongside works from Harewood’s own collection including paintings by JMW Turner, Thomas Girtin, John Piper and John Carr’s original designs for Harewood House.

The exhibition presented a wide and contrasting range of works reflecting the many different buildings and places that we might call ‘home’. It looked at changes in design and attitude to living spaces and aimed to question notions of comfort, security, power and identity.