Paddy Hartley retrospective opens at The Straw Yard
A major retrospective bringing together 35 years of work by multidisciplinary artist Paddy Hartley is coming to The Straw Yard in Berwick this month.
Body of Memory runs from 13 – 17 October and explores the intersections of science, medicine, history, memory and the human body through sculpture, textiles, film and historical research.
The free exhibition offers visitors a rare opportunity to see, and handle, a selection of Paddy’s embroidered fabric works revealing the personal histories of First World War servicemen who underwent pioneering facial reconstructive surgery.
The works examine how the experiences of men transformed by war are preserved and reconstructed, and how individual stories eventually become part of our collective memory.
Also being shown is Paddy’s film Papaver Rhoeas, documenting the creation of remembrance poppies made from lambs’ heart tissue. The work reimagines one of our most familiar symbols of remembrance, shifting attention towards the physical realities of mortality, sacrifice and loss.
The retrospective forms part of Paddy’s Artist in Residence programme at The Straw Yard during October, which also includes talks and ceramics workshops including the Advanced Kurinuki Geology Workshop on Friday 18 October. This workshop is a hands-on day exploring the Japanese technique of kurinuki, carving and hollowing clay to create two unique lidded boxes inspired by the geology of Berwick Beach. Suitable for beginners and experienced makers; all materials included.
Supporting Berwick Cancer Cars
The residency also has a particularly personal local connection.
Following his diagnosis with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2024, Paddy received support from Berwick & District Cancer Support Group, better known locally as Berwick Cancer Cars, while travelling for treatment. Now in remission, Paddy and The Straw Yard are using the residency to help raise funds for the charity.
Founded in 1992, Berwick Cancer Cars is run entirely by volunteers and provides free transport for people with a confirmed cancer diagnosis who need help getting to cancer-related appointments and treatment.
From Berwick and the surrounding district, its volunteer drivers regularly make the long journeys to hospitals in Newcastle, Northumberland, the Borders and Edinburgh.
The scale of that support is remarkable: in 2025 alone, volunteers made 1,303 hospital runs, covering 154,635 miles.
The charity also provides additional wellbeing support through its Butterfly Touch initiative, including free complementary therapies, alongside yoga and relaxation sessions.
Throughout Paddy’s residency, cash donations can be made at all of his events at The Straw Yard, while a collection bucket will also be available at the venue throughout Berwick Literary Festival, with the bar open from 10am–4pm.
Those booking tickets for Paddy’s events online can also add a donation to Berwick Cancer Cars when purchasing their ticket or online. berwickcancersupport.co.uk/about-us/
Entry to Body of Memory itself is free, with visitors invited to make a donation if they wish.
Body of Memory: A Retrospective Exhibition by Paddy Hartley
13 – 17 October 2026
11:00 – 16:00 daily
The Straw Yard, Berwick Barracks
Free entry – no booking required
Visit: The Straw Yard
Please note that the exhibition includes themes of facial injury and surgery.
Find out more about Paddy
Read our interview with Paddy in Berwick Style & Culture to discover more about his extraordinary work, his move to Berwick and the experiences that have shaped his art: Berwick Style & Culture Issue 2
October 2026