Come and join us in Farleys Sculpture Garden this half term for an unforgettable FREE experience as the Ant Bus rolls into East Sussex! This dedicated family-day is another special event to celebrate Farleys' 75^th Anniversary.

Bringing to life the concept of a children’s alphabet book, ‘A is for Ant’ is the short film debut by renowned British photographer Jack Davison in collaboration with production and costume designer Shona Heath.

Screened outdoors on a three-sided ‘Ant Bus’ with LED walls customised by Shona Heath. This immersive cinematic experience will combine a live-action, theatrical performance. The 10-minute-long film explores the ‘A-Z’ where each letter of the alphabet is playfully characterised by both actors and live creatures. Following the film screening, a collage workshop by resident illustrator Hattie Staniford will inspire audiences to create their own worlds.

Typical of Jack Davison and Shona Heath's respective aesthetics - The ‘A is for Ant’ project is created in the spirit of the Early modern avant-garde movements across design, appearance and atmosphere.  A is for Ant calls to mind the dreamlike fantasy of Surrealism, the ready-made inventiveness of Dada and the theatricality of the Cabaret Voltaire.

PRACTICAL INFO:

‘A is for Ant’ is free to attend and lasts approximately 35 minutes. The site is open from 10.30am until 4.30pm but please reserve your performance slot.

‘A is for Ant’ is aimed at children aged 2 and up but is suitable for all the family and adults too.

As well as the ‘A is for Ant’ performance, you can explore our sculpture garden and Farleys Gallery. There, enjoy our two exhibitions and a hand-picked shop range. Light lunch refreshments, cake and hot beverages will be available in our Gallery Café.

Please note that the house and the Lee Miller Gallery will not be open.

‘A is for Ant’ takes place outdoors. Awning is provided but please dress appropriately for the weather and season.

Children should be accompanied by Adults at all times. There are several large expenses of water without fencing in Farleys Sculpture Garden. 

Jack Davison:

Uncovering the surreal and the sensual in everyday life, Davison's photography is included in the permanent collection of the National Portrait Gallery, London. His editorial work has since been featured in publications including the New York Times, Le Monde, Vogue Italia, British Vogue and i-D, and he has worked with fashion labels including Alexander McQueen, Hermès, Burberry, Craig Green and Moncler. His 2019 book Photographs, published by Loose Joints, is now in its third reissue. Song Flowers, a collaboration with the fashion label Marni, was published in 2020. Ol Pejeta, whose subject is the world’s last two living white rhinos in the Kenyan wildlife conservancy of the same name, followed in 2021. A limited-edition annotated artists edition of Photographs was published in 2021.

Shona Heath:

Shona Heath is a Set Designer and Creative who is responsible for creating some of the most memorable fashion photography from the past two decades. Her links with the fashion, art and film world continue to grow, making her an in demand creative collaborator. Shona started her freelance career working for Dazed and Confused and Vogue Magazine where she began by making sets out of paper. From that came a snowball of creative projects and the beginning of her long-term collaboration with photographer Tim Walker. Over the past 20 years Shona has worked with photographers such as Tim Walker, Jack Davison, Julia Hetta, Jackie Nickerson, Inez and Vinoodh, Paolo Roversi, and Nick Knight. Making a pivotal contribution to iconic fashion images and contemporary storytelling. Her biggest achievement to date is working as the Production Designer alongside James Price for ‘Poor Things’, Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos.