Art Society Wensleydale Outing To Yorkshire Sculpture Park

Having been picked up by the coach in either Leyburn or Bedale, twenty-six of us set off. Lots of us had visited the Sculpture Park before, but many had had it on their wish list for ages and were delighted to finally have the chance to explore the wonderful displays.

On arriving, we were met by the assistant curator, Louise, who explained the history and the development of YSP. Most of the sculptures are not owned by them but are on long-term loan from the sculptors or their estate. This allows for the displays to change over time and for new exhibits to be shown.

The sun shone as we ascended the hill displaying The Family of Man, a series of nine abstract sculptures by the British artist Barbara Hepworth. It was one of the last major works completed by Hepworth before her death in 1975. This is the only full display of the work in Europe and should be seen as a whole work. Louise explained the difficulty of balancing Barbara’s desire for the public to be able to touch and interact with her works and her estate’s wish to protect her legacy. We didn’t touch, but we were all tempted. A stunning work which set the bar high for the rest of the park.

Through the trees and up to the top of the hill we found Jordy Kerwick’s Hydra vs Bear. Hydra vs Bear depicts a battle between the gigantic water serpent from Greek mythology and a double-headed bear. Cast in bronze, the two beasts are poised mid-attack: Hydra rises from the ground ready to strike, while Bear lunges forward with claws and teeth bared. A striking piece, not to everyone’s taste, but that’s what art's for: to challenge ideas and get us talking.

Louise then accompanied us to a major exhibition by South African artist William Kentridge. It marks the first museum presentation outside South Africa to focus on his sculpture. Comprising over 40 works made between 2007 and 2024, this ambitious project fills the Underground Gallery, with outdoor works presented in the surrounding gardens. The underground gallery exhibited his films as well as the development of his works which were much admired by some of our group. As the weather was so glorious, many of us decided to explore the outside exhibitions and set off to view the many wonderful sculptures set out amongst magnificent trees and grasslands. It is difficult to stick to a planned route as you glimpse pieces which tempt you away but amaze you unexpectedly.

We loved Henry Moore’s Upright Motives as we made our way to the Chapel. Into Being was created by Laura Ellen Bacon inside the Chapel over an eight-week installation, using carefully woven and sustainably sourced Somerset willow. The scent of this natural material fills the Chapel, creating a full sensory experience. The repetitive weaving process has created a dense, flowing structure which enveloped us into its folds as it climbs three metres up the gallery wall. An amazing work that was to be broken up and recycled back to nature this weekend, so we were lucky to see its last days.

Back into the sunshine and past Indiana’s iconic LOVE, huge on the horizon, and on by way of Damien Hirst’s enormous people. We found our way to Expressions in Blue, an extraordinary exhibition where we were dwarfed by a forest of monumental porcelain sculptures by renowned ceramicist Felicity Aylieff. Fabulous glazes that set the heart a-flutter.

There was so much to see in such a vast landscape it was difficult, or impossible, to see it all. Groups divided across the park and discussed their findings. From Elizabeth Frink (we’d had a lecture!) to Andy Goldsworthy, via Vanessa da Silva and so many more. Some were loved, some not so much, but we talked about them and that’s what our society is for.