Taking place within a 10 mile radius of York, York Open Studios 2024 welcomes visitors to the homes and work spaces of more than 150 artists. From jewellery, sculpture, ceramics and painting, to print, photography and textiles, there is something for everyone. It’s a chance to see where artists’ work to create some of the most interesting and collectable work in the north of England and learn about their inspirations and methods. Kendra Grahame-Clarke gives us an inside track on what you will find.
When Whimsy Wins
Joanna Coupland is a new artist to the YOS fold, producing intricate and fun wire armatures. Unlimited to the forms Joanna chooses, she lets her imagination go wild with fantastical as well as true creatures that spell whimsy with a capital W! It’s time to re-think your art portfolio and move into wire sculptures, covered in paper and often vintage textiles, they’re a talking point and certainly lift the spirits.
Man on a Mission
Duncan McEvoy is a man on a mission – to find some of the most difficult and unusual photographic subjects all related to rail. His work is often brutal but intriguing, with results that seem to point to some kind of industrial beauty featuring rails, railways, trains and associated machinery from around the world. It’s work that deserves a conversation and who doesn’t like a piece of work to provoke discussion?
More is Definitely More
Martina Taplarkova learnt her craft in the Czech Republic, using glass quality beads within her jewellery and wall work. These fabulous pieces are inspired by her love of nature, life and faith, and showcase her creativity using often reclaimed jewellery items crafted into lovely unique pieces. This is Martina’s first year at YOS and a chance to see how this intricate work comes to fruition.
The Art is in the Eating
This is Kath Cox’s first time at YOS and her practical take on ceramics following her professional career working within the tile industry has empowered her to create pieces that are oven, microwave and dishwasher safe. Her pieces are cleverly combined with creativity including colour, form and feel. Durability is key for Kath who creates bowls, tumblers and plates perfect for every kitchen table.
Eye-Catching George
London born and bred artist George Willmore creates punk style collages. Now based in York and anticipating his first involvement in YOS, George relishes the idea of visitors coming to discuss his ideas. His collages are always engaging, sometimes surprising and usually extraordinary, with a mix of subjects which are often political. Tricky to give an umbrella term for this art, but eye-catching certainly fits the bill.
Looks Familiar
Greg Winrow trained in Art and Design, followed by photography, and he now produces prints and oil paintings. Familiar to York visitors and residents, many of his works depict his home city as well as wider afield. Crafting some of Yorkshire’s stunning sights into colourful and easily recognisable prints, his choice of subject with his home-grown Bile Beans depiction puzzles visitors and amuses residents in equal measure.
Ways with Wood
Sometimes working to a client brief, often inspired by the modernists, with a dose of Shaker and Scandi, Wilf Williams’s furniture is aesthetically pleasing as well as functional. His ways with wood are celebrated this year with an opportunity to meet Wilf and find out more about how he chooses the right wood for his work. He has also created some little avian celebrations of wood. Lovely to behold.
Coveted Leather
New for 2024, Naomi Wells Smith offers her beautiful artisan leather items to YOS visitors. Bags, wallets, belts and more by Morgan + Wells, are often sustainably made and crafted in quality leather. With her skills embedded in theatre design, Naomi’s pieces manage to combine practicality with beauty, with some fun elements to give her lovely leather products a special edge.
Illustration with a Pop
Lincoln Lightfoot, an established artist, produces work that brings together familiarity and shock in a range of extraordinary illustration works. Views, buildings and landscapes are seemingly dipped into another universe where comic-style characters and movie forms overtake the familiar. Embracing his professional art career full time, surreal is Lincoln’s mantra with a good dose of surprise and humour thrown in.
Intricate & Intriguing
Thankfully for us all, Anna Cook started cutting paper from around 2017 and now produces magical and intriguing layered paper scenes in deep box frames. Inspired by nature, with just the most intricate patterns, shapes and seemingly almost impossibly fine cutting, Anna’s works of art give the phrase perfect meaning. Always worth a closer look, these pieces are lovely in any room.
My Precious
Jacqueline Warrington, a designer and maker of jewellery and silverware, learnt her trade at a well-known jewellers and now creates her own exclusive pieces from a workspace in York. Her handmade precious stone pieces are all bespoke and her silverware inspired by myths, folklore and saints. Jacqueline interprets stories in her silverwork often with 24ct gold to embellish, using traditional skills and ancient techniques. Lovely.
Vintage Art
Now based in York with roots in Germany, Christina Hoge-Morgenroth is new to YOS in 2024. Christina uses a variety of techniques to create a diverse selection of textile items. Wall hangings, practical and playful accessories and clothing are just some of the one-off pieces that Christina crafts often using vintage fabrics. This is upcycling with very special results, utilising waste textiles and building abstract art to dress any wall.
Saturdays and Sundays 13-14 April and 20-21 April
yorkopenstudios.co.uk
