Yorkshire Sculpture Park presents a solo exhibition Mark Hearld: Birds and Beasts will run at the Park near Wakefield from 17 November 2012 until 17 February 2013.
Mark Hearld Hat Box Squirrels
Hearld will take inspiration from YSP’s 500-acre historic estate and its inhabitant wildlife to create new work, all of which will be available to buy. The exhibition will showcase Hearld’s practice which stems from a love of the British countryside, curiosity for objects and a magpie approach to collecting.
Known for his brightly coloured collages and lithographic prints, Hearld will transform the Park’s visitor centre and Upper Space gallery with hand-painted wooden animals; three-dimensional, hand-decorated ceramic hares; collages in hand-painted frames, lino-cuts, and limited edition litho prints. A flock of 70 hand-decorated wooden pigeons will hang in the concourse and found objects chosen by the artist will feature in a characteristically eccentric window display.
Born in 1974 and based in York, Hearld studied illustration at Glasgow College of Art before completing an MA in natural history illustration at the Royal College of Art. His work is now exhibited all over the UK and commissions include set design for 2005 film Nanny McPhee and a range of ceramics for Tate. The exhibition coincides with the publication of a first monographic book, published by Merrell.
Hearld works closely with skilled craftsmen to realise his ideas, using Curwen Studio in Cambridge to make litho prints and Daniel Bugg at Penfold Press, Selby to produce linocuts. For his latest project, Hearld has established a new relationship with a Stoke-based mould maker to produce a range of limited edition ceramic hares which are exclusive to YSP.
An additional limited edition litho print will be designed and produced especially for YSP to sell during the exhibition alongside other exclusive merchandise.
Three special events accompany the exhibition: Hearld will sign copies of his first monographic publication Work Book, published by Merrell, on Saturday 17 November; budding artist designers can join Hearld in a collage workshop on 2 February 2013 where they’ll learn to interpret contrast and work in collage using paper; and at a professional practice talk also in February Hearld will talk to students about his career, sharing advice about how to develop skills and make a living as an artist. Find out more and book tickets at ysp.co.uk/events