Leeds Sculpture Garden Remembers Leeds Lost Rivers

A sculpture garden inspired by the lost rivers of Leeds has been unveiled in the city. Featuring five ceramic sculptures they sit as part of a new ‘rain courtyard’ in the Alumno built Terry Frost Building.

Forged in the Muddy Beck

Called ‘Forged in the Muddy Beck‘ the works have been created by Leeds artist Amelia Frances Wood. Inspired by the rich history of lost rivers that once ran through the city. It also remembers the areas history of Burmantofts Pottery.

Sheepscar Beck

The Sheepscar Beck is culverted nearby and runs close to the building. Starting life in the north of the city. It begins there as Marsh Beck in the area around Bramhope. Changing it’s name dependent on the area it passes through. It becomes Adel Beck, Meanwood Beck, Sheepscar Beck and then finally Lady Beck. That final section running under the city before its outlet into the River Aire.

Industrial Past

Much of the river can still be walked as part of the Meanwood Valley Trail. It’s a watercourse which has been heavily manipulated by the industrial past of the city. Once providing water for the many mills that were dotted along it’s course. Now a lot of the water course is forgotten and hidden away.

Mudlarking

“As a child I used to go mudlarking a lot” remembers Amelia. “I started thinking about the memories or treasures that could be forgotten or left in the river. So these sculptures pay homage to that”. Taking the idea of the signature Burmantofts pottery vessels. The sculptures are as if they too have been taken and shaped by the river.

Objects of Value

“The work is inspired by precious objects of value. Lost and disfigured and softened by the river and time” says Amelia. Reflecting on the way that water can shape and change objects. “I have used Burmantofts pottery traditional vessels to influence the sculptures forms but distorting and manipulating them”.

Terry Frost Building

Created as part of the Terry Frost Building. It’s a place that is named after British abstract artist Sir Terry Frost. He taught at the Leeds School of Art and the naming of the building is a homage to his work. The atrium of the building also contains a large frieze by Frost. The rain garden containing the sculptures is open to the public.

The sculpture garden is located in ‘The Terry Frost Building’, Whitelock Building, Leeds LS7 1EH. It is open to the public. ‘Forged in the Muddy Beck’ is a sculptural installation from Leeds artist Amelia Frances Wood. All pictures used in this post are courtesy of Sam Lopez.

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