David Nash: Barnsley Lump

During his YSP residency in 1981-82, Nash made a series of site generated works, some of which were temporary in nature and some that still remain at YSP 40 years later.

Barnsley Lump is a rough-cut block of local coal that connects to the geological and social history of the area. It is gradually disintegrating back into the earth, as Nash anticipated, describing it as a ‘going’ work.

At the same time Nash created the ‘coming’ work Three Stones for Three Trees, which comprises a sycamore, an oak and a beech tree, each planted by the artist next to a large, upright sandstone block, sourced from a local quarry. The trees continue to grow in a constantly evolving relationship with the stones.