Yorkshire Sculpture International at Leeds City Art Gallery

2019 saw the launch of Yorkshire Sculpture International, a festival of sculpture taking place across Leeds and Wakefield from June to September. 



In addition to the exhibitions at the four main galleries; Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Leeds Art Gallery, The Henry Moore Institute and The Hepworth, there programme also includes a number of outdoor sculptures and new commissions.



Rachel Harrison draws upon a wide range of influences, fusing art historical references with references from pop culture. Her choice of materials is similarly eclectic, with nods to art history and contemporary society.



Joanna Piotrowska selected a number of artworks from the Leeds collection and displayed these alongside her series of black and white photographs investigating social structures. Piotrowska asked local people in Lisbon, Rio de Janeiro, Warsaw and London to create makeshift structures in their homes. 





Although it is not part of Yorkshire Sculpture International, my visit afforded me the opportunity to reconnect with Lothar Goetz's vibrant wall painting which dominates the main staircase. Goetz is interested in how colour interferes with our perception of space and form. 

Nika Neelova - EVER - The Tetley Gallery, Leeds

EVER was a solo exhibition by the Russian-born artist Nika Neelova at The Tetley Gallery in Leeds. Neelova presented new and existing work that responded to, and was in dialogue with, the building's unique art deco architecture.

'At the centre of the exhibition is a new large-scale sculptural installation in The Tetley's atrium. Connecting with the building's past, it recalls the restoration and transformation of the atrium into a gallery space and incorporates original materials such as parquet floor tiles and oak panelling salvaged from The Tetley building.  Featuring these discarded architectural fragments, the installation creates a transitional space depicting, and derived from, places that once existed. For Neelova, it takes the form of a 'landscape in ruin', presenting different layers of reworked and reimagined architectural, sculptural and geological artefacts.'

 

In the old office spaces that surround the atrium space, Neelova installed a number of existing geological and architectural sculptures. The Lemniscate sculpture series is made from reclaimed wooden bannisters. Neelova has repurposed the bannisters and fitted them together so that they each become a continuous form.







Neelova's architecturally focused work benefits from being displayed in a gallery with its own unique architectural features and likewise the gallery benefits from her work as it naturally emphasises the context in which it is displayed. 







My criticism would be that there is too many repeated versions of the same idea. After seeing a couple of forms made from bannisters, I no longer gain from seeing a different variation of this theme. 

Opportunity to purchase artwork at Bitter/Sweet

If you would like to have your very own artwork created by a Bitter/Sweet exhibiting artist, head to the 'merchandise desk' in the entrance to the gallery. There are a number of artworks for sale, including prints, drawings and artists books. 

Last chance to visit Bitter/Sweet

This weekend is your last chance to visit Bitter/Sweet, the group exhibition at Assembly House, Leeds that I am participating in.


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Featuring work by:

Neil Carribine / Emily Garvey / Jawbone Jawbone / Oliver Perry / Helen Shaddock

Curated by Emily Garvey & Liam McCabe

The artists have drawn upon their own Bitter/Sweet experiences and emotions, to produce new bodies of work spanning animation, sculpture and a site specific wall mural.

The gallery is open 10am-4pm
For access please contact Laim McCabe: 07828 104125

Here is a sneak peek

Free lemon-aid available now at preview of Bitter/Sweet at Assembly House, Leeds

Get along to Assembly House in Leeds to the preview of Bitter/Sweet, an exhibition of new work by

Neil Carribine / Emily Garvey / Jawbone Jawbone / Oliver Perry / Helen Shaddock

Curated by Emily Garvey & Liam McCabe


Free lemon-aid available 6-9pm, Thursday 15th March 2018


Exhibition open 15th-25th March 2018

10am-4pm on 17th-18th, 24th-25th March & by appointment

Contact Liam McCabe on 07828 104125

TONIGHT- Bitter/Sweet Preview - Assembly House Studios & Project Space - Preview 6-9pm

The final preparations are being done ready for the preview of Bitter/Sweet at Assembly House tonight. Escape the dreary gloomy weather and brighten yourself up with some delicious art and a dose of lemon-aid. Enjoy!

Bitter/Sweet

Assembly House Studios & Project Space

44 Canal Road, Armley, Leeds, LS12 2PL

Preview: March 15th 2018 - 6-9pm - Free lemon-aid

Exhibition runs: March 15th-March 25th

Open: 10am-4pm on 17th-18th & 24th-25th March & by appointment

Contact: Liam McCabe on 07828 104125

Featuring work by:

Neil Carribine / Emily Garvey / Jawbone Jawbone / Oliver Perry / Helen Shaddock

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Curated by Emily Garvey & Liam McCabe

Emotions are often fleeting and can be forever lost in a moment. A memory can be at one point beautiful, transient and wondrous and in the next filled with sadness and nostalgia - these experiences are unique for every individual and are the focal point for Bitter/Sweet

Bitter/Sweet brings together 6 artists from Newcastle and Sheffield to exhibit in Leeds for the first time. Each drawing upon their own Bitter/Sweet experiences and emotions, brand new bodies of work will be on display spanning animation, sculpture and a site-specific wall mural with free lemon-aid available at the preview.