The Cabinet of Curiosities
The Cabinet of Curiosities is a unique travelling installation created by artist Steven Hatton (Electric Egg) in collaboration with Transported and Spalding Gentlemen’s Society.
Artist
Steven Hatton is an award-winning photographer, filmmaker and co-founder of production company Electric Egg. He has a passion for portraiture and documentary photography. Recurring themes in his work are the connection between people and place and exploring social and historical narratives. Alongside his own personal work, he has worked on artists commissions across the UK, often working with communities and sharing his practice with with local communities, be it informally or through workshops in schools or community settings.
What would you choose to preserve for future generations?
Inspired by the historic tradition of Cabinets of Curiosities, this interactive artwork invites people of all ages to explore local heritage through creativity, storytelling and hands-on discovery.
Having debuted at Spalding Pumpkin Festival 2026, the Cabinet is now touring locations across South Lincolnshire, bringing curiosity, conversation and creativity to communities throughout the region.
Visitors are invited to open drawers, uncover hidden treasures, discover fascinating artefacts, enjoy creative activities and contribute their own stories and memories along the way.
What Is a Cabinet of Curiosities?
These collections brought together artefacts from science, history, nature, art and everyday life, often without the categories we use today. They encouraged curiosity, sparked conversation and inspired people to learn more about the world around them.
Long before modern museums existed, collectors created what were known as Cabinets of Curiosities, or Wunderkammern (“wonder rooms”), to display unusual objects and discoveries from around the world.
The Cabinet of Curiosities project takes inspiration from this tradition while exploring the remarkable collections and stories held by Spalding Gentlemen’s Society, one of the oldest learned societies in the country.
Bringing History to Life
Created from a transformed antique Davenport desk, the Cabinet has been carefully designed as a travelling miniature museum.
Inside, visitors will discover themed drawers containing curious objects, heritage-inspired artworks and interactive experiences inspired by the collections of Spalding Gentlemen’s Society and the history of South Holland.
Many of the Cabinet’s contents draw inspiration from ARTeFACT, the augmented reality public art trail developed by Electric Egg, Transported and Spalding Gentlemen’s Society. By scanning selected elements with a smartphone, visitors can reveal additional digital artworks and animations that bring stories and collections to life in unexpected ways.
The project aims to make local heritage more accessible, encouraging people to explore, question and connect with the history on their doorstep.
Explore, Create and Contribute
The Cabinet is designed to be explored, opened and interacted with.
Alongside discovering its many treasures, visitors may have opportunities to:
- Create brass rubbings inspired by decorative plaques and local heritage
- Make their own zoetrope and learn about early animation techniques
- Explore themed collections and unusual artefacts
- Discover artwork inspired by South Holland’s heritage
- Share memories and stories about treasured personal objects
- Reflect on what they would choose to preserve for future generations
At the heart of the project is a simple question:
If you could place one object in a museum to tell your story, what would it be?
The answers reveal personal histories, memories and connections that are just as important as the objects found in museum collections.
A Creative Partnership
The Cabinet of Curiosities was developed through a partnership between Transported, Spalding Gentlemen’s Society and artist Steven Hatton of Electric Egg.
The project explores how creativity can help people connect with heritage in meaningful and enjoyable ways. Through hands-on activities, storytelling and playful interaction, the Cabinet encourages visitors to engage with history beyond traditional museum displays.
The project also helps build awareness of the collections held by Spalding Gentlemen’s Society and aims to inspire future visits when the museum reopens following its renovation programme.
Creating the Cabinet
Want to discover more about the inspiration, design process and creative thinking behind the project? Read the behind-the-scenes blog from Spalding Gentlemen's Society. The feature includes an interview with artist Steven Hatton discussing the Cabinet's development, the influence of the Society's collections, and the importance of making heritage engaging, accessible and interactive.
Read here
Where to Find the Cabinet
The Cabinet of Curiosities will continue touring South Lincolnshire until January 2027, appearing at festivals, community events, museums and visitor attractions.
To find out where the Cabinet will be appearing next, visit our events page.
Project Partners & Supporters
The Cabinet of Curiosities was created by Steven Hatton (Electric Egg) in collaboration with Transported and Spalding Gentlemen’s Society.
The project is made possible through SoundLincs’ Future of the Past project, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players.
Additional support comes from Transported, part of Arts Council England’s Creative People and Places programme, funded by the National Lottery.