University students were given the chance to work alongside a Turner Prize-winning artist Richard Long to create a film about his new exhibition.

Dereham Times: Norwich University of the Arts students have been making a film about artist Richard Long and his exhibition EARTH SKY: Richard Long at Houghton. Photo: supplied by Norwich Theatre Royal.Norwich University of the Arts students have been making a film about artist Richard Long and his exhibition EARTH SKY: Richard Long at Houghton. Photo: supplied by Norwich Theatre Royal. (Image: supplied by Norwich Theatre Royal)

EARTH SKY: Richard Long at Houghton Hall opened in April and runs until October 26.

The fine art and film and moving image students at Norwich University of the Arts had the opportunity to watch Mr Long bring together the final elements of the exhibition and create one of his latest works, White Water Falls, in the colonnades of the main hall.

Other NUA students are also acting as volunteers for the BeLong educational programme linked to the exhibition.

Mr Long, who rarely gives interviews, said: 'Even though I am not a pop artist and I don't court popularity, I think it is amazing that work finds its way in the world anyway. I think it is great that young students know about it.'

Dereham Times: Norwich University of the Arts students have been making a film about artist Richard Long and his exhibition EARTH SKY: Richard Long at Houghton. Photo: supplied by Norwich Theatre Royal.Norwich University of the Arts students have been making a film about artist Richard Long and his exhibition EARTH SKY: Richard Long at Houghton. Photo: supplied by Norwich Theatre Royal. (Image: supplied by Norwich Theatre Royal)

Professor Neil Powell, pro vice-chancellor at NUA, said it had been a unique experience for the students to work with 'one of the most significant artists of the late 20th and early 21st century.'

He said: 'For the first time in many years, the artist has agreed to be captured on film at length, and for the first time ever, aerial footage of his large-scale land-based works have been captured by NUA students using a drone, offering a unique and revealing perspective on the work and its site.'

Natalie Hazelden, a BA film and moving image production student, said: 'To work on a project alongside Richard Long was a real privilege. To be so close to an artist of such magnitude is slightly surreal and to be on set in a place as grand as Houghton Hall was quite astounding.'

Jonathan Mallett, a BA fine art student, added: 'The opportunity to see someone like Richard Long working up close, and moving around the environment that he works in, was a pivotal experience to me as a student concerned with sculpture. Excitement doesn't quite cover it!'

Dereham Times: Earth Sky is the new exhibition at Houghton Hall. Here artist Richard Long is pictured with Full Moon Circle, commissioned in 2003. Picture: Ian BurtEarth Sky is the new exhibition at Houghton Hall. Here artist Richard Long is pictured with Full Moon Circle, commissioned in 2003. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

EARTH SKY: Richard Long at Houghton runs until October 26. It is open Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays. Tickets cost £18 to visit the exhibition, house, gardens and grounds, and £10 to visit just the gardens and grounds. Children aged 16 and under are free. Visit www.houghtonhall.com

For more information on the BeLong education project, visit www.BelongAtHoughton.com

Dereham Times: Earth Sky is the new Richard Long exhibition at Houghton Hall. Pictured is the White Water Falls. Picture: Ian BurtEarth Sky is the new Richard Long exhibition at Houghton Hall. Pictured is the White Water Falls. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)