The Piece Hall courtyard will host a UK first when a selection of sculptures by world renowned artist Sophie Ryder go on display in Halifax from 19 February. The five pieces will include the 4.5m high ‘Dancing Hares’, which has never been exhibited publicly in the UK before. The sculptures will be positioned around the Piece Hall’s 66,000 sq ft courtyard until 23 May where they can be viewed by the public free of charge.
Sophie “works big” and her imposing sculptures which are inspired by animals and mystical creatures have been exhibited globally in Canada, the U.S.A. Germany and Sweden, alongside major exhibitions at Yorkshire Sculpture Park. Often displayed in rural settings, the show at The Piece Hall will represent a rare opportunity for her work to be seen in an urban setting, against the backdrop of the Grade I listed building’s beautiful stone façade.
The exhibition will consist of the following pieces: Dancing Hares (bronze); The Minotaur and The Hare on Bench (bronze); Torsos (Lady Hare and Minotaur) (galvanised steel wire); Crawling (bronze); Girl with Knees Up (bronze). Additional works will be on display in The Piece Hall Gallery.
