On a recent visit to South Yorkshire for family reasons I took time out to visit the YSP near Wakefield. I vaguely remember Bretton Hall as a teacher training college from my teenage years living in Wakefield. Today the park hosts exhibitions both indoors and outdoors as well as permanent sculptures in the grounds.
The way one views sculptures, as with many forms of art, is highly subjective. Some I loved, others puzzled me, but the setting is great and if nothing else you get a good workout walking around the different parts of the park.
Tony Cragg an artist who is now based in Germany has produced many bodies of work and examples here are fromĀ Early FormsĀ (based on different vessels such as test tubes, jars, conical flasks) andĀ RationalĀ BeingsĀ (based on drawings of people). The sculptures are designed to be viewed differently from various angles and change depending on the perspective of the viewer.
Tread SoftlyĀ is an Arts Council Collection National Partner exhibition exploring the realities of childhood, developing identity and family relationships.Ā Ā I was particularly taken by an old gymnastic vault, which took me back to my grammar school days and a particularly strict P.E. teacher.
I also liked Barbara Hepworth’sĀ Family of Man placed on a hillside, though being roped off rather spoiled the effect.
I enjoyed the juxtaposition of a real family enjoying a picnic lunch nearby.
Another of my personal favourites isĀ BuddhaĀ by Niki de Sant Phalle, made all the more interesting by the addition of a chap on a ladder taking photographs of the giant sculpture (header)
Decorating a hillside in the Country Park section are several bronzes of Henry Mooreās Reclining Figure series that he began in the 1950s, and returned back to again and again throughout his life.
I enjoyed the patina of the bronzes; the sheep enjoyed the shade.
Mooreās preference of the reclining figure over a standing or sitting figure that is usually the subject of artists isĀ down to its strong, yet relaxed posture. He explains that āit is free and stableĀ at the same time. It fits in with my belief that sculpture should be permanent, should last for eternity.ā
Ai Weiwei’sĀ Iron TreeĀ is a delightful replica of the ancient yew trees found in the Chapel grounds.
and his Circle of Animals / Zodiac HeadsĀ is very interesting and has been on a world-wide tour since 2011. For the duration of their exhibition in Chicago all the heads were hooded, to remind people that the artist himself was still confined to China after being arrested for ‘economic crimes’. In 2016 he was granted permission to travel to Prague and see the sculptures for the first time.
Apart from the sculptures, the park is a very pleasant place to stroll around with walks around the lake, split into two by the Cascade Bridge which is where we will begin part two.
IF YOU ENJOY A WALK, LONG OR SHORT, THEN HAVE A LOOK ATĀ JOāS SITEĀ WHERE YOU ARE WELCOME TO JOIN IN WITH HER MONDAY WALKS.
TRAVEL WORDS 
Lovely post and images. I discovered the YSP by accident when we lived in England, and try to visit on my (occasional) trips back. š
It’s quite brilliant Su. I’d certainly go there again.
I’d never been particularly interested in sculpture before I went there, so it was a kind of a life-changing experience, given how involved I got in the organisation of sculpture exhibitions more recently.
YSP looks a most interesting place…thanks for the virtual tour, Jude!
I had heard of it, but never been, which as a Wakefield lass seemed wrong. Staying in nearby Doncaster gave me the chance and I’m glad I went.
Very good!
What a fabulous inspirational place. Have of course seen views on the TV, but it’s lovely to have a personal tour with you. The Henry Moores are special favourites, but Al Weiwei’s Iron Tree (with (un)intended sheep) is wonderful.
it is very inspirational – I missed several of the exhibits, but was too tired to backtrack. A place you could go to often if it was near enough as they change the exhibits and even without them it is a lovely park to walk around.
I had a wonderful time there too not that long ago! Must share my photographs soon š Did you play on the musical chairs?!
Must have missed those. There was something where the music changed according to where you stood, but I didn’t know that until later.
ah yes that’s where the chairs were too . . . I discovered that you could play music from them as well. I will have to share the photos of me, was hilarious!
Yes, please š š
I will try and get organised for a little Yorkshire something to appear in October š
The first photos – really fantastic shapes! Must be great fun to go along.
The trails aren’t very clear so I kept missing sculptures, but I had a lovely day wandering around, just stumbling on the exhibits.
Some great images of a very interesting place. I love to see large sculpture outdoors. Must try to get to that place one of these days.
Best wishes, Pete. x
It’s a lovely park and the sculptures just make it a bit more interesting. Some really do fit into the landscape.
Some I like more than others but I do admire the work that goes into each piece.
I’m always interested to read the meaning behind sculptures as that often gives you an insight into what is being represented.
What a wonderful place to take a walk … there is just so much to attract your attention!
When I started to reflect on all the photos I liked best, I realized they all had sheep in them. I guess for me, seeing sheep like this is more random than the artwork itself š
The header photo of the man on the ladder with the Buddha is a good one for giving the size of the Buddha some perspective … and you’re right about the Family of Man. The fencing detracts from the exhibit. I’m assuming the blocks are free-standing and would pose a risk to anyone if they toppled over.
I loved it that the sheep just wandered around the sculptures in that part of the park. As for the Family of Man, I believe they were cordoned off to stop people climbing / touching them, which is a shame because I think most sculptures just invite you to touch them. I have been able to in the Barbara Hepworth garden here in St Ives.
Wow, what a smorgasboard of different styles. The Buddha is incredibly decorative and I love how the sheep have just blended in everywhere, taking advantage of the shade. That in itself is living art to me. My favourite though is the Circle of Animals – I just love the detail. On the flip side – and I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder – Tony Cragg’s stuff looks tortured and I couldn’t see beyond that no matter what perspective I tried. Thanks for the virtual tour Jude š
I wasn’t too keen on Tony Cragg’s work either with the exception of Outspan which I liked. Naturally I took a photo of each animal from the Circle of Animals, they really are great.
“In donkey years”: now that’s an expression new to me. š
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