YORKSHIRE SCULPTURE INTERNATIONAL
YSI is a unique collaboration between four of Yorkshire’s leading art institutions – the Henry Moore Institute, Leeds Art Gallery, The Hepworth Wakefield and Yorkshire Sculpture Park. The galleries work together to promote sculpture in the region. Celebrating the rich history of Yorkshire as the birthplace of pioneering sculptors, including Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore and Damien Hirst and as the home of this unique consortium of galleries and celebrated sculpture collections. Leeds Beckett University support of YSI made it possible for the pioneering gallery partnership to develop the ambitious artistic and engagement programme that attracted local, national and international audiences and press coverage in major broadsheets. YSI saw over 500,000 people visiting the festival venues, c. 1 million saw the sculptures in Leeds and Wakefield city centres with over 47,000 people taking part in the workshops and special events, from students in local secondary schools to the international arts press. As the UK’s largest dedicated sculpture festival, the programme featured 18 artists from 13 different countries and 16 artists from across Yorkshire, including new commissions, debut presentations, major exhibitions in the galleries and outdoors, and an engagement programme featuring 923 events. Leeds Beckett University hosted major international artists including Phyllida Barlow in conversation with Louisa Buck, Kimsooja, Tarek Atoui, Tamar Harpaz, Nobuko Tsuchiya in conversation with Sarah Brown, Ayse Erkmen, Holly Hendry, Zadie Xa, Jasleen Kaur, Anne Hardy, James Capper, Veronica Ryan and Alice Channer.
