Art students team up with Yorkshire Sculpture International

Aspiring artists at Leeds City College have teamed up with Yorkshire Sculpture International (YSI) to create a thought- provoking new work.

The collaborative project was organised by the college’s artist in residence, Kp Culver, who worked closely with YSI and a group of Art and Design students.

The initiative involved giving a presentation to the group about public sculpture, to inspire them to think about 3D materials for a new piece.

Kp then asked the students to think of answers to the question ‘what do you want?’. Their responses were written across four wooden boards which were moved around Quarry Hill, in different configurations, to create a work they named Panel Discussion.

A different kind of conversation

Kp said: “Working with the college’s students and YSI sparked a conversation about the many ways artists approach public sculpture.

“I wanted to explore how sculpture could move around the building, responding to the space, and include the community.”

Access to HE Art and Design student Finn Devine said: “The sculpture presentation with kp and Ella, from YSI, really helped towards my contextual studies and general knowledge regarding artists working in sculpture.”

Level 3 Art student Shahan Mahin added: “I really enjoyed learning more about sculpture.

“The panels brought us together to think about other people’s desires and how we make space for each other.

“Moving them around the college was very playful, even though some of the messages on the boards were deep.”

Yorkshire Sculpture International describes itself as ‘a unique collaboration between four of Yorkshire’s leading art institutions’. Through it, the Henry Moore Institute, Leeds Art Gallery, The Hepworth Wakefield and Yorkshire Sculpture Park work together to promote sculpture across the region.

The organisation’s work includes an extensive engagement programme that includes education, community collaborations and artist support.

Kp, meanwhile – who is Leeds-based and a member of artist-led studio and project space Serf –  will hold an exhibition in June to mark the completion of her two-year residency at Leeds City College.