Mark Hearld, Raucous Invention: The Joy of Making

Raucous Invention: The Joy of Making will be an ambitious, vibrant, and creative journey where Hearld explores connections through collaboration and risk taking to create bold and challenging works. With several special collaborations planned, it will be a celebration of the joy and inspiration that comes from working with like-minded makers and organisations.

Working from his studio in York, across a range of media and using the natural world as inspiration, Hearld is creating a brand new body of work for this exhibition including collages, lino cut prints, letter press prints and a large-scale mural. The mural will comprise of a series of large individual collages, each sitting as a solo piece, but when placed together will create an incredible work that will fill the walls of the YSP Kitchen at the Visitor Centre.

The exhibition will include a very special collaboration with Leach Pottery in St Ives, one of the most respected and influential potteries in the world. Hearld has been working alongside their lead potter, Roelof Uys, drawing on the historic reputation of Bernard Leach who played a crucial pioneering role in creating an identity for artist potters across the world. Leach Pottery have created a series of hand thrown platters, which Hearld has decorated using paper stencils, slips and sgraffito mark making on wet clay. He has then further decorated the surface with intricate detailing using glaze recipes from both Bernard Leach and studio potter Svend Bayer. This collaboration will culminate in a small number of exclusive, unique platters that will be available to purchase from YSP Shop during the exhibition both in person and online.

An exclusive, limited-edition range of artworks is being made for this show including a collection of stunning woven jacquard tapestry wall hangings, each featuring the iconic work of Hearld. A bespoke ceramic edition of tankards, decorated by the artist and created in collaboration with the Potteries at Stoke-on-Trent, will be available to purchase.

Letter press prints will also feature, created with long-time collaborator Tilley Printing, who are also producing a special exhibition print. A book is being published to coincide with the exhibition, documenting Hearld’s creative journey through to 2021, including the process and collaborative approach he is going through to produce this new body of work for YSP. This will be a collaboration between Hearld and St Jude’s.

All of the works will be available to purchase from ysp.org.uk/shop from 13 November 2021.