The historic sight of heavy horses processing through the city this Saturday will herald the arrival of an ambitious new exhibition in Norwich. Arts correspondent Emma Knights reports.

Eastern Daily Press: Horses in Norwich. Tombland 1914.Horses in Norwich. Tombland 1914. (Image: Archant)

A major national exhibition is set to arrive in Norwich in spectacular style this Saturday when a parade of horses delivers an array of artwork that is to go on display across the city.

British Art Show 8, featuring more than 100 works by 42 artists, is due to open on June 24 and a special procession has been created to celebrate the show.

Called The History Train, the parade is the idea of artist Alan Kane and will feature six horse-drawn carts. Mr Kane, who has a studio in Great Yarmouth, said he wanted to make 'an art history and transport history collision' and celebrate the newest art by delivering it in a traditional way. The procession is in part inspired by horse parades that took place in Norwich in days gone by, and for the modern day spectacle Mr Kane has created unique horse brasses to decorate the horses from designs submitted by local people.

Starting from Chapelfield Gardens at 11.30am, the horses will process through the city throughout Saturday, stopping off at the BAS8 exhibition venues - Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery, Norwich Univerity of the Arts' East Gallery and St George's Building, and The Forum.

Eastern Daily Press: Artist Alan Kane came up with the idea of The History Train to deliver the British Art Show 8 artwork to the exhibition's venues in Norwich. Photo: supplied.Artist Alan Kane came up with the idea of The History Train to deliver the British Art Show 8 artwork to the exhibition's venues in Norwich. Photo: supplied. (Image: supplied)

Sheridan Smith, marketing manager of intu Chapelfield which is sponsoring The History Train, said: 'It feels absolutely right to launch the show with a highly visual, inclusive and fun procession combining contemporary art with a traditional celebration.'

Norwich Castle is also hosting the following horse-themed events on Saturday: 11.30am, 1pm, 3pm, Black Beauty by Anna Sewell - 15 minute storytelling session; midday, 2pm, Alfred Munnings and the Horse - hear about the artist's life and his love of horses; 11am-12.30pm and 1.30-3.30pm, How the Horse Became - a look at the evolution of the horse; all day, The Great British Horse - play a game of snap and see if you can name British horse breeds; all day, Canter Round The Castle - track down equine objects around the castle; 10.30am-3.30pm, horse craft - make a lucky horse shoe; 11am-3pm - meet a Suffolk Punch horse on the Castle Mound.

• See EDP Weekend this Saturday for an interview with Alan Kane.

• BAS8 is a Hayward Touring exhibition and the Norwich show has been organized in collaboration with Norwich Castle and NUA. Visit www.britishartshow8.com

Eastern Daily Press: Some of the horse brasses which will be worn by the horses in The History Train procession which is bringing the British Art Show 8 artwork to Norwich. Photo: Emily Buchan.Some of the horse brasses which will be worn by the horses in The History Train procession which is bringing the British Art Show 8 artwork to Norwich. Photo: Emily Buchan. (Image: Emily Buchan)

Eastern Daily Press: Transport - Horse DrawnCoke delivery using horse and cart.The British Gas Light Company Limited, Norwich.Dated 1909Photograph C10615Transport - Horse DrawnCoke delivery using horse and cart.The British Gas Light Company Limited, Norwich.Dated 1909Photograph C10615

Eastern Daily Press: Some of the horse brasses which will be worn by the horses in The History Train procession which is bringing the British Art Show 8 artwork to Norwich. Photo: Emily Buchan.Some of the horse brasses which will be worn by the horses in The History Train procession which is bringing the British Art Show 8 artwork to Norwich. Photo: Emily Buchan. (Image: Emily Buchan)