Read an interview with artist Mat Collishaw. He reveals the process of making the Mask of Youth, an animatronic portrait of Queen Elizabeth I.
I think she would be appalled. My head would be on the block and this place would get closed down for a start!
Mat Collishaw
Mat Collishaw's Mask of Youth is a animatronic portrait of Queen Elizabeth I as she might have looked when sitting for the Armada portrait. The face is not idealised as in the portrait, instead it is presented without flattery. His methodical approach and intensive research have ensured an artwork grounded in history, but with a modern twist.

The Mask of Youth

How do you feel seeing the mask finally installed in the Queen’s House?
What is the most fascinating thing that you’ve learnt about Elizabeth or her era, that you’ll take away from this project?

You’ve worked so intimately with Elizabeth to bring her face alive, in what way did her story come alive to you?

In her lifetime Elizabeth would have seen lots of representations of herself, how do you think she would respond to your portrait?
What do you want visitors to come away with after seeing the mask?