Harold Gosney: Materials and Making – Exhibition at York Art Gallery

A major new exhibition, “Harold Gosney: Materials and Making”, will open at York Art Gallery on 15 November 2025, running until 28 June 2026. This retrospective celebrates over six decades of creative work by Yorkshire sculptor Harold Gosney (born 1937), an artist renowned for his inventive use of materials and his deep connection to the region.

The exhibition will explore Gosney’s lifelong fascination with wood, metal and drawing, tracing how these elements have shaped his artistic practice. Featuring more than 45 works, it brings together sculpture, mixed media and preparatory sketches that reveal the evolution of his creative process from concept to completion.

Visitors can expect to encounter many of Gosney’s most celebrated pieces, including the striking Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (crafted from copper and Perspex), the emotive Father and Son, Bam, and Jazzman, carved from a single block of sycamore. The display will also include a series of drawings depicting scenes from York Museum Gardens, showcasing the artist’s close relationship with his local environment.

Drawing is a central part of Gosney’s creative method, serving both as preparation and inspiration. His process involves revisiting ideas through multiple sketches before sculpting, allowing form and concept to develop organically. As the artist explains, his work is grounded in observation and experimentation, influenced by the materials that surround him and the ideas that emerge from them. Many of the woods he uses are reclaimed or gifted, giving new life to found materials.

Reflecting on the forthcoming exhibition, Gosney highlights the significance of presenting both early and recent works together. Several pieces have been part of York Art Gallery’s collection for years, while others are being shown publicly for the first time. Living in York since 1994, Gosney describes the gallery as an important cultural centre for the city and its residents.

The exhibition has been co-curated by Caitlin Doley and Robert Wake, Associate Collections Curators at York Art Gallery, in close collaboration with the artist. They note that the show celebrates Gosney’s achievements as a sculptor and draughtsperson, showcasing his continuous exploration of form, technique and material. The curators emphasise that the exhibition brings together pieces from the gallery’s own collection, long-term loans and previously unseen works, offering visitors a comprehensive view of Gosney’s artistic legacy.

“Harold Gosney: Materials and Making” will be located on the upper floor of York Art Gallery and is included with general admission. The exhibition promises to offer both long-time admirers and new visitors a deeper understanding of one of Yorkshire’s most respected artists and his enduring contribution to sculpture and drawing.

For more information and tickets, visit
www.yorkartgallery.org.uk
or contact York Art Gallery on 07761 634646.

Exhibition Details

• Exhibition Title: Harold Gosney: Materials and Making
• Dates: 15 November 2025 – 28 June 2026
• Venue: York Art Gallery, Exhibition Square, York
• Admission: Included in general admission ticket
• Opening Times: Wednesday – Sunday, 10am – 5pm
• Curators: Caitlin Doley and Robert Wake, with Harold Gosney
• Website: www.yorkartgallery.org.uk

About York Art Gallery

York Art Gallery houses an extensive collection of paintings spanning more than six centuries, including 14th-century Italian panels, 17th-century Dutch masterpieces, and works by prominent British artists such as LS Lowry and David Hockney. The Gallery also features the Centre of Ceramic Art (CoCA), which holds the most comprehensive collection of British Studio Ceramics in the country.

Operated by York Museums Trust and supported by Arts Council England, the gallery continues to promote creativity and cultural heritage, making it a key destination for art lovers in the North of England.