Sculptor Harold Gosney new exhibit at York Art Gallery

Harold Gosney has opened his new Materials and Making exhibit at the gallery – celebrating his more than 65 years as a mixed media artist.

The exhibition explores the artist’s experimentation with various types of wood and metal throughout his career.

Harold Gosney with Curved Quadriga 1989 at York Art Gallery (Image: York Museums Trust)

More than 45 of his works are on show, including the striking Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse structure crafted from copper and Perspex.

There is also the emotive Father and Son, Bam sculptor his Jazzman, carved from a single block of sycamore wood, and a trio of drawings depicting views of the nearby York Museum Garden.

Harold Gosney with Trotting Horse 1991 at York Art Gallery (Image: York Museums Trust)

Sheffield-born Gosney, who has lived in York for more than 30 years, said he draws from his immediate environment and lived experiences when creating his work.

“My work is always based on things I’ve seen and tried to analyse and understand, but is also handmade by me, from beginning to the very end,” he said.

 “I do what I call preliminary drawings and also working drawings. Once I’ve started the piece of work, I sometimes have to rethink and do another series of drawings to help decide what the next step forward might be before reaching the final piece.”

Harold Gosney with Self-Portrait Drawing 1997 at York Art Gallery (Image: York Museums Trust)

Gosney added that his creative process is not an exact science, but rather an exploration of his interests and the natural materials that present themselves.

 “If I see a piece of wood that is an unusual shape, then I may be inspired to create from that, for example I might see a reclining figure or something,” he said.

“On the other hand, if I have had an idea of something I’d like to make and have done some drawings, I look for a piece of wood that I can mould into that idea.

“Many of the pieces of wood I create from have either been given to me by friends or are found or reclaimed wood.”

Harold Gosney with York Museum Garden works at York Art Gallery (Image: York Museums Trust)

The artist has had several works on show at York Art Gallery before, but said the new exhibition showcases many never-before-seen pieces.

“There is a range of early pieces and then several that have been completed since 2020,” he said.

“I’ve lived in York since 1994 and have been visiting the gallery ever since. I think it’s important for people in York, or any town, to visit their local gallery.”

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Caitlin Doley and Robert Wake, associate collections curators at York Art Gallery, who curated the show alongside Gosney, said the exhibition is a “celebration of Harold Gosney’s achievements as a sculptor, draughtsperson, and long-time supporter of York Art Gallery”.

“The exhibition is a testament to his talent and skill, showing his fascination with trialling working with different materials and techniques,” they said in a statement.

“It is always a pleasure to work with Harold, and we are very grateful for his continued generosity to York Art Gallery.”

Harold Gosney: Materials and Making is located upstairs in York Art Gallery and is included with a general admission ticket. The exhibition is open until June 28, 2026. For more information and tickets, visit: www.yorkartgallery.org.uk