Yorkshire Sculpture Park in Winter

Art in the landscape 

What can be better than walking in lovely countryside on a bright winter's day and discovering works of art scattered through fields, on ridges and in woods? The Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP) is the perfect place to do this, covering 500 acres of fields, hills, woodland, lakes and formal gardens it is a beautiful space to soak up the landscape and spot sculptures and other works of art in the grounds or in the galleries, some by new artists and some by well known names such as Henry Moore and Damien Hirst.  

Sean Henry: Seated Figure

Some sculptures are permanently located at the YSP and become old friends after a few visits, some are visiting exhibitions and stay for just a few months. This means that there is always something new to discover when we visit.

This is the first piece I looked at, Sitting by Sophie Ryder, which is a sculpture of a huge hare. This is in the permanent collection and is one I have seen a few times. With the body of a woman and the head of a hare this large sculpture sits quietly overlooking the parkland of the YSP.

Sophie Ryder: Sitting

Next I came across Ai Weiwei's 'Circle of Animals / Zodiac Heads' based on 12 bronze heads representing the traditional Chinese zodiac. This work of art has travelled the world on tour since 2011 and has been seen by millions of people.

Ai Weiwei's: Circle of Animals / Zodiac Heads

Heading down the hill we passed a metal sculpture, the name of which I failed to find. Large and impressive, it gleamed in the afternoon sun. 

Large sculpture glowing in the winter sun

Scattered around the parkland are a number of Henry Moore sculptures, their simple forms soothing to the eye.

Henry Moore: Large Totem Head

A group of sculptures by Damien Hirst caught my eye with their bright colours and thought provoking subjects. These will be on display until April 2022.

Damien Hirst: The Virgin Mother

Damien Hirst: The Virgin Mother

These photos show the same sculpture, The Virgin Mother, from two different sides. It stands ten metres tall and is made in bronze cleverly painted to look like plastic. It references the stance of Edgar Degas's Little Dancer Aged Fourteen but this figure has a cross section of her body showing the internal anatomy including a foetus in her womb.

The Hat Makes the Man is another Hirst sculpture, again made in bronze but this time he has painted it to look like wood, and it is incredibly realistic. This work is based on a 1920 collage of the same name by Surrealist artist Max Ernst.

Damien Hirst: The Hat Makes the Man

Next in Damien Hirst's group of sculptures is Charity based on the Scope charity collection boxes. This brings into question how we have depicted disability in the past. Look around the back and the collection box has been broken into and coins are scattered around the base.

Damien Hirst: Charity

This is another example of a bronze sculpture made to look like a different material.

Following the path to the new visitor centre, The Weston, I reached the last of the Hirst sculptures.  This one is called Myth and shows a white unicorn with half its skin removed to show vibrantly coloured tissue and muscles.

Damien Hirst: Myth

The new Weston building has a light and airy gallery and a shop, snacks and drinks are available here too. Inside the new gallery space is an animated sculpture installation by Holly Hendry, part of her exhibition called 'The Dump is full of Images'.

Holly Hendry: Slacker

There are plans for a new walk of art, 'Walk of Art 2' by Gordon Young and Why Not Associates where your name (or that of family and friends) can become part of the work of art which will form an extraordinary walkway leading to The Weston. Shortly after my visit I decided to remember my mother by adding her name to this artwork and I'm looking forward to returning when the work is installed to see her name become part of the permanent fabric of the YSP where she enjoyed visiting in the past. Here is a link for you to take part too in the Walk of Art 2.

Up on the ridge at the far side of the park and above woods I found the 'Seated Figure' by Sean Henry (first image above). Looking a little like Jeremy Corbyn, this giant man sits on his stool overlooking the valley and can be spotted from the walk to the Longside Gallery. This three metre tall sculpture was originally located on the North York Moors but attracted too many visitors together with their litter and cars parked on verges causing a hazard. Now in it's YSP location visitors can come and visit where appropriate facilities are provided for their cars etc. 

Sean Henry: Seated  Figure

Look carefully and you can see the Seated Figure on the ridge in the image below.

Seated Figure seen from the walk to the Longside Gallery

Entry to the YSP is free, you just pay for parking. There are shops and cafes available and so much to see that you will need to plan a full day (or a second visit!). I love visiting in winter, however the light levels drop quite early on so I would advise arriving early to get the most from the day.