Rob Ward: Las Piedras : Gallery One, Thirsk Hall Sculpture Garden

20 November 2023 - 13 April 2024
'I am interested in the idea of sculpture, the tradition, practice and materials which articulates three dimensions in space imaginatively. These stone sculptures reflect my desire to connect this tradition to my interest in objects of everyday use, connecting disparate things to make new objects. There are recurrent themes, balance, rhythm, shape and form, reflection and the enduring weight of stone, its lasting presence and the timeless beauty of marble and granite. The sculptures aim to combine these elements with humour, teaching a stone to smile.'
 
- Rob Ward, September 2023 
 
Rob Ward (b. 1949) has played a significant part in the shape and trajectory of British sculpture in the second half of the twentieth century. His work spans drawing, painting, sculpture and installation. He graduated from Kings College University of Newcastle in 1973, at the time, a unique place to study, being the sole fine art honours degree offered in Britain. Whilst there, Ward took the Bauhaus-inspired Basic Design Course developed by Richard Hamilton and Victor Pasmore. This modernist approach, with its focus on natural growth and organic forms, spatial understanding and mathematics, had an emphatic effect on him and continues to impact his work and teaching now. 

Ward went on to gain a Masters from Reading University in 1973-75, with his degree show being hung by Terry Frost and Patrick Heron, before being awarded scholarships to continue his studies in both Athens (Ecole des Kalon Technon) and Rome (Academia di Belle Arti). After a short time spent back in northern England, Ward moved to Australia to take up the position of Programme Coordinator for Sculpture at University of Newcastle, New South Wales. His sculptural work became more expansive without sacrificing any of his previous order and consideration of form, balance and poise. Simultaneously, the discovery of a ceramic-coated paper called Kromecoat added to the evolution of Ward's drawing and painting, creating works that spanned both disciplines and fell somewhere in between. 

 

In 1982 he moved back to North East England, initially working as Senior Lecturer in Sculpture at Humberside Polytechnic in Hull before moving to Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire. Ward continued Senior Lecturing positions at West Glamorgan Institute of Higher Education and then at Bretton Hall, University of Leeds. A significant exhibition, organised by the Henry Moore Centre, at Leeds City Art Gallery followed in 1989. The show was in part a retrospective but also comprised a newly realised body of sculpture. 

 

His work sits in communion with artists such as Tony Cragg, Carl Plackman, David Nash, Richard Deacon and Michael Lyons.