Last chance to see exhibition celebrating acclaimed Yorkshire sculptor

Don’t miss your last chance to see York Art Gallery’s Ancient and Modern, a free exhibition of large scale sculpture by internationally acclaimed artist Michael Lyons.

The display is currently in York Art Gallery’s Artists Garden and will close on April 11 2021. It includes nine sculptures inspired by nature, myth and ancient cultures.

Becky Gee, curator of fine art at York Art Gallery, said: “We’ve loved exhibiting Michael Lyons’ incredible work in the gardens, and feel honoured to have housed his first large scale exhibition in York, his home city.

“We were so pleased to be able to extend the exhibition and keep it open for visitors to enjoy on their daily walks through the gardens. If you’re local we hope you’re able to enjoy the display before it closes.”

Before his sudden passing in April 2019, Michael said about the show: “‘To my knowledge this is the first time such a large exhibition of outdoor sculpture has been shown in York – certainly for many years.

“It is a great pleasure to make a contribution to the cultural life of York in this way and I hope that the exhibition will help to make sculpture a more integral part of the city.” 

Lyons’ sculptures range from small-scale to monumental, while his materials include brass, bronze, clay and copper. The artist’s in-depth exploration of steel makes an impact in both rural and urban landscapes. 

Becky added: “It was wonderful to work on this exhibition with Michael before his passing. His energy, warmth and creativity made a real impact on the gallery team and the show has proven to be a true celebration of the extraordinary skill and talent he possessed.”

The Artists Garden is open daily from 10:30am to 4:30pm.