The art of Yorkshire: Muses and masterpieces

This week, our celebration of Yorkshire continues with the Arts. Yorkshire is not only the subject of numerous pieces of art and its beauty and wildness described in literature, it has also produced and inspired world-renowned names in the art world including Barbara Hepworth, David Hockney and Henry Moore. Yorkshire is also the birthplace of literary authors including Emily, Charlotte and Anne Brontë, Alan Bennett, James Herriot, J. B. Priestley and Ted Hughes, to name but a few.

This whistle-stop tour about a handful of artists and writers does not do the individuals justice but hopefully it will inspire you to learn more about their achievements.

The Henry Moore Institute in the city centre of Leeds, run by the Henry Moore Foundation, was set up to encourage appreciation of the arts and organises exhibitions and research activities in international sculpture. For more information, visit henry-moore.org.

Barbara Hepworth (1903 – 1975)

Barbara Hepworth was born in Wakefield and at an early age, decided she wanted to be a sculptor. Hepworth trained at the Leeds School of Art (where she met Henry Moore) and then at the Royal College of Art. Hepworth’s rise to international acclaim defied her era to be one of the greatest and most influential modern sculptors.

Hepworth was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1963.

In May 2011, The Hepworth Wakefield opened to not only honour one of Britain’s most important 20th Century artists, which houses some of her artwork but also showcases the art of modern and contemporary art from some of the best international artists. Visit hepworthwakefield.org for more information.

To enjoy works by Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore and countless other artists from Yorkshire and from around the world, including Damien Hirst, Roger Harris and Andy Goldsworthy, the Yorkshire Sculpture Park is a must visit. It is the largest of its kind in Europe set in 500 acres of beautiful Yorkshire countryside. Visit ysp.org.uk for more information.

David Hockey

David Hockey, born in Bradford in 1937, is another great Yorkshire artist, with international appeal. A graduate of the Royal College of Art, Hockney is a painter, printmaker, photographer and set designer and over the years has experimented with other physical and digital mediums. His international travel has influenced the subject of his artwork over the years. A large collection of Hockney’s works can be visited at the 1853 Gallery at Salts Mill, in Saltaire, near Bradford. Visit saltsmill.org.uk for more information.

Alan Bennett

Alan Bennett, born in 1934 in Leeds, is a playwright, author, actor and screenwriter. He attended Exeter College, Oxford, graduating with a first class degree in history. Having decided that medieval history, in which he was a junior lecturer at Magdalen College, was no longer for him, his comedic performance along with Dudley Moore, Peter Cook and Jonathan Miller at the Edinburgh Festival in 1960 secured his career in the performing and written arts. He has written many works for stage and television. Titles include, “The Lady in the Van”, “The History Boys”, “The Habit of Art”, “A Private Function” and the “Talking Heads” series of monologues for television (and performed on stage).

Ted Hughes (1930 – 1998)

Ted Hughes was born in Mytholmroyd, near the Calder Valley. He is considered to be one of the greatest poets and writers of the twentieth century. He was appointed Poet Laureate in 1984 which he remained until his death.