A representation of Austin Wright’s studio has been created at Thirsk Hall Sculpture Garden, featuring original maquettes, moulds, and archival material that offer insight into how the interior of his workshop may have looked. This will be a permanent addition to the Sculpture Garden.
The barn behind his home in Upper Poppleton is where Austin Wright created the vast majority of his sculptures, though it was never referred to as his 'studio' during his lifetime, this building not only provided the space he needed but also became an inspiration in itself. Old farming equipment hung from the walls and rafters which influenced his unique hanging sculptures. These pieces are made from aluminium and are lightweight enabling them to move in the wind, they were often hung outside from trees in his garden where this motion could be viewed more effectively.
The garden that surrounded Wright's home appears regularly within his work from the sculptural Iris seedheads to the sprawling cherry tree. Though this connection to nature is more apparent in his later botanical studies, his figurative drawings and sculptures are also deeply rooted in the environment, exploring how the curves of the body can mimic rock formations and blend into the landscape.
A vast range of materials can be seen within this recreation, from the incredibly delicate wire and plaster maquettes to the robust and tactile lead and concrete sculptures. Two wax figures can also be found within their original boxes, perfectly preserved. Amongst the tools and old furniture, there is a collection of moulds, some with the name of the final piece written on the outside and bound together with string or rubber to keep the two sides in place.
