From the historic landmarks that shape our skylines to family traits that have been passed through the generations, the idea of inheritance is being put in the spotlight in the latest art exhibition to open at Norwich Castle.

Eastern Daily Press: Paris Agar, exhibition curator, with some of the exhibits in the Open Art Show in Norwich Castle 'Inheritance'. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYParis Agar, exhibition curator, with some of the exhibits in the Open Art Show in Norwich Castle 'Inheritance'. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

An eclectic mix of 129 works by 116 East Anglian artists features in Inheritance: Norwich Castle Open Art Show which runs until May 20.

It is the fifth show of its kind that the castle has organised in collaboration with the East Anglia Art Fund (EAAF) and this year's theme has been inspired by the castle itself.

It is designed to complement The Square Box On The Hill exhibition which looks at the 900-year history of the landmark which is currently the focus of the ambitious Norwich Castle: Gateway to Medieval England project aiming to restore the castle's keep back to how it was in the days of the Norman kings.

Exhibition curator Paris Agar said: 'Inheritance was a fantastic opportunity for local artists to actually think about that 900 years of history in our region and to respond to that theme of inheritance in every sense of the word.'

Eastern Daily Press: Amanda Geitner, director of East Anglian Art Fund, with Craig Hudson's Surely It's Not That Bad, one of the exhibits in the Open Art Show in Norwich Castle 'Inheritance'. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYAmanda Geitner, director of East Anglian Art Fund, with Craig Hudson's Surely It's Not That Bad, one of the exhibits in the Open Art Show in Norwich Castle 'Inheritance'. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

EAAF director Amanda Geitner said the theme had inspired a fascinating array of work spanning the entire spectrum of visual art.

'It's fantastic for the first time to have carved slate, cast bronze, sound commissions and video works as well as the painting, printmaking and sculpture that people love and expect,' she said, adding that one of her favourite things about the exhibition was how all of the different works looked at the past but in a completely contemporary way.

She explained the exhibition is split into three sections which have been inspired by the titles of three of the paintings in the show.

'Architecture and Mortality looks at the built environment, Distant Blues looks at seascapes and landscapes, and Family of Things looks at childhood, personal possessions and people,' she said.

Eastern Daily Press: Part of the Open Art Show in Norwich Castle 'Inheritance'. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYPart of the Open Art Show in Norwich Castle 'Inheritance'. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

Inheritance: Norwich Castle Open Art Show - which is sponsored by Brown and Co and Gallery in the Lanes - runs until Sunday, May 20 and The Square Box on the Hill runs until Sunday, June 3.

For more information about the exhibitions and the Norwich Castle: Gateway to Medieval England project, visit www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk

Eastern Daily Press: Sugar Bomb, one of the exhibits in the Open Art Show in Norwich Castle 'Inheritance' based on the first atomic bomb by Jamie Andrews. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYSugar Bomb, one of the exhibits in the Open Art Show in Norwich Castle 'Inheritance' based on the first atomic bomb by Jamie Andrews. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

Eastern Daily Press: Paris Agar, exhibition curator, with one of the exhibits in the Open Art Show in Norwich Castle 'Inheritance'. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYParis Agar, exhibition curator, with one of the exhibits in the Open Art Show in Norwich Castle 'Inheritance'. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

Eastern Daily Press: Paris Agar, exhibition curator, with some of the exhibits in the Open Art Show in Norwich Castle 'Inheritance'. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYParis Agar, exhibition curator, with some of the exhibits in the Open Art Show in Norwich Castle 'Inheritance'. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

Eastern Daily Press: Sisters by Liz Waugh McManus, cut glass replicas of two dolls houses, one of the exhibits in the Open Art Show in Norwich Castle 'Inheritance'. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYSisters by Liz Waugh McManus, cut glass replicas of two dolls houses, one of the exhibits in the Open Art Show in Norwich Castle 'Inheritance'. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)