**JK Rowling’s Name Removed from Art Installation at Hardwick Hall Amid Tampering Concerns**
The National Trust has removed a collaborative artwork from public exhibition at Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire after repeated incidents of tampering involving the inclusion of JK Rowling’s name. The Trust stated its priority is to conserve the artwork and investigate claims after elements of the piece were reportedly altered without consent.
Hardwick Hall, a stately home managed by the National Trust, recently displayed an artwork entitled *A Virtuous Woman*, created by artist Layla Khoo in collaboration with the University of Leeds. From April to November 2024, visitors were encouraged to participate by nominating “contemporary Virtuous Women.” The names selected—including cultural icons, leaders and campaigners—were meticulously stitched into a recycled textile, paying homage to Bess of Hardwick’s legacy of commissioning embroidery celebrating noble women from history.
JK Rowling, the renowned author of the Harry Potter series, was among those nominated, and her name was stitched onto the piece several times by members of the public. However, during the participatory period, some contributors reportedly stitched over Rowling’s name in response to ongoing controversy surrounding her views on gender and feminism—a topic which has sparked intense debate and drawn both criticism and support.
The situation escalated last week after feminist activist Jean Hatchet publicly declared on social media that she had removed stitching which covered Rowling’s name. Hatchet maintained that she acted with “great time and care” and used the correct tools, asserting no damage was done to the underlying work. However, the National Trust underscored its policy that once completed, artworks should not be altered, regardless of the motivation.
A spokesperson for the National Trust explained: “The artwork was open to contributions for eight months and closed in November when the piece was finished and displayed. JK Rowling’s name was stitched seven times. In two cases, her name was subsequently covered over by others. The finished piece displayed her name five times unobstructed.” The Trust has temporarily withdrawn the piece from display in order to protect it from further interference and to conduct a thorough investigation.
This development has ignited debate around artistic integrity, censorship, and the protection of collaborative artworks. Other figures represented in the piece—including Queen Elizabeth II, artist Yoko Ono, former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, campaigner Greta Thunberg, and musician Taylor Swift—reportedly appeared without their names being stitched over. The selective targeting of Rowling’s name highlights the ongoing polarisation of discussions around gender and identity in the public sphere.
In response to questions, the National Trust restated the collaborative and participatory nature of the project, emphasising that “none of the views expressed or actions taken by participants represent the views of the National Trust, the artist or the University of Leeds”. The Trust also acknowledged criticism from local advocacy groups such as the Women’s Rights Network Derbyshire and Staffordshire, who have called for greater transparency and context when incidents like name alterations occur.
Some campaigners, such as Ellie Evans from WRN Derbyshire and Staffordshire, argued that removing the whole artwork amounted to “erasing all the women” recognised within it, sparking wider concerns over women’s representation and free expression.
JK Rowling has so far declined to comment on the removal of her name or the ongoing debate surrounding the artwork. Neither artist Layla Khoo nor representatives from the University of Leeds have yet issued public statements regarding the Trust’s decision or the long-term future of the piece.
The removal of *A Virtuous Woman* from Hardwick Hall raises significant questions about the management of interactive art and the challenges faced by cultural institutions in safeguarding creative works amid public and political controversy. For the time being, the piece remains under review, as the National Trust considers its next steps to ensure its preservation and respectful display.