Maurice de Sausmarez in Leeds, a talk by Dr Rebecca Wade, Leeds University
We explored the newly-catalogued archive of the artist, educator and writer Maurice de Sausmarez (1915-1969) with Dr Rebecca Wade.
Following the warm reception of the new Ilkley Fountain in April, LAF board members Ann Sumner and Gerry Coughlan organised a visit to two artists and their studios in Ilkley.
Following the warm reception of the new Ilkley Fountain in April, LAF board members Ann Sumner and Gerry Coughlan organised a visit to two artists and their studios in Ilkley.
On the very hot morning of 20 June, we started by meeting the artist Juliet Gutch in her studio, where she and her husband Jamie develop their wooden sculptural mobiles. Our group heard about the sphagnum moss found on Ilkley Moor which had inspired the design for the Fountain, how the project came to fruition and their approach to concept, design and storytelling. Juliet talked briefly about the different kinds of commissions they have completed. These ranged from corporate work such as sculptures for John Lewis in their London restaurant; public work such as the large-scale commission for the reception atrium of the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital; her experiences of exhibiting at Windermere Jetty Museum; and the subsequent responsive Breath Water Marks series shown later at the nearby Wordsworth Museum in Grasmere. Juliet also talked about current work and showed other work as well as maquettes for the fountain.
Just a stone’s throw away is the studio of award-winning artist David James of Olicana Mosaics; we went on to meet him and his wife Caroline n their mercifully cool studio. They create mosaic and bespoke decorative features for gardens, interiors and commercial luxury projects including the beautiful and familiar entrance to Bettys Tea Room in Ilkley. Other clients have included the RHS, Sir Roy Strong, private estates and Taylors of Harrogate, and they frequently exhibit and are winners at the Chelsea Flower Show. They also spoke about their recent conservation work on the mosaics found across Park Hill Estate in Sheffield, including those for the pubs. Parkhill, constructed between 1957 and 1961 is now Grade II* listed and widely known as a landmark building in the city.
We then walked with Juliet to view the fountain itself sparkling in the sunshine, where we were joined by Louise Hepworth-Wood, a trustee of Improve Ilkley, one of the funders of the project. Overall it was a really delightful event and we are most grateful to the artists for their hospitality and interest.
Event report written by: Ann Sumner
We explored the newly-catalogued archive of the artist, educator and writer Maurice de Sausmarez (1915-1969) with Dr Rebecca Wade.
The northern section of Temple Newsam’s Domestic Corridor has recently undergone restoration work.
Made by artists, for artists….
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