SPOTLIGHT: Cultural Historian - Kate Hext
kate hext - cultural historian
Tell us a little about yourself
Hello, I’m an associate professor at the University of Exeter, where I teach and write about late-nineteenth century and early-twentieth century literature and culture. I’ve published books on the decadent movement in England, which has a singular significance for understanding Great Ambrook. I grew up in Abbotskerswell, just down the road. My academic profile is here: https://experts.exeter.ac.uk/20514-kate-hext
WHAT IS YOUR ROLE HERE AT THE ITALIAN GARDEN?
I am researching and writing about the culture, literature, and history of the garden. It’s quite a task, given that Arthur Graham had his papers burnt. However, there are ways we can understand the garden’s history and significance by putting it in the context of the time, the people who were involved in creating it, and the literature and arts that its designs reflect.
While researching the garden, I also organise the garden’s summer series of talks and co-curated James Cabaniuk’s art installation, ‘In Holes and Corners’, in September 2024. For this exhibition I wrote the Hanky Trail, drawing on my research into queer history and previously unknown poetry connected with the garden’s early years.
“With freedom, flowers and the moon, who could not be perfectly happy?”