John Byford

🇬🇧 Made in England by John Byford (UK) ~ 2012
Bad Gandersheim, Hangony and Turni

Mad dogs & Englishmen by John Byford

Made in England – 2012 (Germany) + 2013 Hangony, Hungary and Turni, Italy.

In 2012, John Byford brought together 20 artists from Skegness (including himself of course) to create Made in England, a celebration of the town’s humour, grit, colour, and character — all with a distinctly British voice.

The exhibition kicked off in Germany, travelled to Hangony in Hungary, and then to Terni in Italy, winning audiences over with its individuality and strong sense of place. Back home, it ran at Barclays Bank and the Embassy Theatre in Skegness, proving that a local project could have international impact.

Skegness has always been a source of inspiration — from the rolling Wolds to the dramatic North Sea, the fairground’s bright lights to tranquil gardens and unspoilt nature reserves. Made in England captured it all: the people, the scenery, the history, and the ebb and flow of tourism that shapes the town’s identity.

The exhibition also strengthened international ties. Since 1979, Skegness has been twinned with Bad Gandersheim in Germany, and Made in England helped reignite that connection, inspiring future cross-cultural projects.

Most importantly, Made in England was the spark for everything that followed. It laid the groundwork for major projects like Two Voices, showing how a local idea, executed with passion, can grow into something much bigger — connecting artists, communities, and audiences both at home and abroad.

The Artists...