Year 7 Explore Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Our Year 7 students recently enjoyed an exciting and inspiring visit to Yorkshire Sculpture Park, where they combined art, observation and outdoor exploration during a 5.5km walk around the park’s stunning landscape.
Throughout the day, students discovered a wide variety of sculptures by internationally renowned artists, learning how sculptures can communicate ideas, emotions and stories in many different ways. Along the route, students stopped regularly to sketch and record their observations, developing their drawing skills while responding to artworks in a real-world setting.
One of the highlights of the trip was the exhibition by Annie Montgomerie, whose handmade animal sculptures captured students’ imaginations. Created from fabric, wire, toys and vintage clothing, her thoughtful characters encouraged students to think about themes of belonging, courage and identity. Many students were fascinated by the expressive nature of the sculptures and the stories they appeared to tell.
Students also explored Barbara Hepworth’s Family of Man, a celebrated group of sculptures representing different stages of life. The abstract forms provided excellent opportunities for observational drawing, with students focusing on shape, tone and texture while discussing how artists can represent people in simplified and imaginative ways.
Another memorable stop was Damien Hirst’s The Virgin Mother, one of the most striking sculptures in the park. Standing an impressive ten metres tall, the sculpture reveals the muscles, bones and organs beneath the skin of a mother and child. Students were intrigued by the scale of the work and engaged in thoughtful discussions about the human body and how artists challenge viewers to see familiar subjects differently.
Other sculptures encountered during the visit included Thomas J. Price’s Network, Jaume Plensa’s Wilsis, Sophie Ryder’s Sitting, Marc Quinn’s giant Orchid, and David Nash’s sculptural Steps installation, all of which provided valuable opportunities for sketching and artistic reflection. Students also explored a powerful exhibition featuring artists from more than 35 Indigenous Tribal Nations, learning how contemporary artists use both traditional and modern materials to celebrate culture, community and connections to the land.
The trip was a fantastic opportunity for students to experience sculpture on a monumental scale, develop their observational drawing skills, and gain a deeper understanding of how artists communicate ideas through form, materials and space. The excellent behaviour, enthusiasm and curiosity shown by Year 7 throughout the day were a credit to the school, and we look forward to seeing how the experience influences their artwork back in the classroom.
Year 7 returned with sketchbooks full of ideas, memories and drawings, making this a truly inspiring day of artistic discovery.
Mrs Mitchell
Head of Art, Photography, Design & Technology
