The Yorkshire Dalesman Magazine (March Issue) - Artists

Photography by George Hutton

Words by Cameron Hill

ARTISTS

Yorkshire and art are not natural associations. This isn’t New York, or Paris, but there are perks to that. There is space here, space to breathe, develop, physical and economic room that can let an artist put down roots. The soil is deep and fertile here, things stick and grow. 

Matty Bovan, Emma Stothard, and Ian Macdonald, are each internationally-respected Yorkshire-based artists. They work in different mediums - Matty fashion, Emma sculpture, Ian photography - but have each drawn on and contributed to the area, bringing colour and depth and scale to the county.  

There is inspiration here, in the fading industry, in the wild open space, but Yorkshire is not just a muse, but a home. What it lacks in gallery openings and press coverage, it makes up for in stability, affordability, a life-permitting pace that lets you stretch outward, deep roots allowing fuller flowering.

Space and calm. It is not a new recipe for creative work, but one that still holds true. Being away from the city gives control, the freedom to, as Ian told us, “then go out into other worlds and practice, and work”.