New Sculpture Garden to Be Unveiled in Leeds, Celebrating Historic Waterways and Burmantofts Pottery.
A new sculpture garden, drawing inspiration from the historic river Beck and the renowned Burmantofts pottery, will soon be unveiled on Whitelock Street in Leeds. This unique installation pays tribute to the lost streams and becks that once flowed through the city, intertwining Leeds’ natural and artisanal heritage.
Date: Wednesday, October 9th
Time: 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Address: The Terry Frost Building, Whitelock Building, Leeds LS7 1EH
Leeds Artist, Amelia Frances Wood, created a series of five ceramic sculptures entitled ‘Forged In The Muddy Beck’ which sit within a new ‘Rain Courtyard’ in The Terry Frost Building and will be at the opening.
She commented: “It is exciting to see my sculpture come to life and enliven the rain garden. I was inspired by the history of the river and what stories the beck holds, using the clay to reflect on the way water distorts and manipulates objects over time. I have taken inspiration from Burmantofts pottery traditional vessels to influence the sculptures forms.”
The Terry Frost Building, named after the distinguished British abstract artist Sir Terry Frost, who once taught at the Leeds School of Art, celebrates his legacy with a prominent frieze in its atrium. Additionally, the building features a poetry installation by Yorkshire-based poet Zaffar Kunial, inspired by the hidden river ‘Sheepscar Beck’.
Developed by Alumno, the building accommodates 411 students and exemplifies the developer’s commitment to integrating art, poetry, and sculpture into the public spaces of their projects. Alumno’s developments focus on revitalizing run-down and underused sites, serving as catalysts for urban regeneration.
The courtyard of the building is open to the public, providing a space to enjoy the artistic and poetic contributions that enhance the site. The creators and curators of the garden and development will be present at the launch event, offering insights into their creative processes and the impact of the project on the community.
