A group of animal figures dressed in vintage dolls clothing.
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Annie Montgomerie: Missies and Nippers

– Upper Space, YSP Centre

About Annie Montgomerie: Missies and Nippers

Following her sell-out show Hand Me Downs in 2022, Annie Montgomerie will be back next summer with a new exhibition Missies and Nippers.

Step into Montgomerie’s world of quiet emotion and vulnerability, with nostalgic detail that coveys the uneasy, tender space of childhood; the place where joy and insecurity coexist so naturally that they become impossible to separate.  

Creating her intriguing 3-dimensional figures, Montgomerie builds each character by hand, from fragments of her own memories with each one resembling the feelings of childhood she remembers so vividly. Each animal is covered in several layers of fabric and fur, dressed in frocks or trouser suits, using vintage finds and ephemera and with a sense of wanting to belong, wanting to be brave, and finding it so difficult to ‘fit in’. It’s about how happiness and sadness always lived side by side, then and now. Making these pieces is a way for Annie to hold both at once; to honour the small, insecure child she was, and to let her speak again through the quiet, handmade worlds she creates.

The show will feature cats, dogs and foxes alongside other exotic animals and each one is covered in layer upon layer of retro patterned fabrics and faux furs, strategically placed to replicate fur, skin, and clothing, with added embellishment, achieving a ‘loved-to-death’ threadbare look. Their bodies are made from vintage finds, from the 1970s and 1980’s era, adding a sense of nostalgia to each piece. 

A whimsical handmade doll resembling a dog, dressed in a floral dress and a blue cardigan. It holds a small stuffed animal and wears blue wellington boots. The background features a vintage pattern with playful animal illustrations.
A whimsical stuffed elephant doll stands upright, wearing a colourful dress with an elephant print. The doll has large ears, a small horn on its head, and is accessorised with a bow. The background features playful vintage illustrations of children and animals.
A vintage-style doll resembling a monkey, featuring large orange eyes, a black tufted hairstyle, and white facial fur. It wears a patterned coat with red buttons over a cream dress, set against a whimsical, illustrated background.

All works from Annie Montgomerie: Missies and Nippers will be for sale, with proceeds supporting the artist and YSP’s charitable work. Works will be first available to purchase in-person from 10.00 (BST) in-store at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, and then from 12.00 (BST) online at yspshop.org.uk on Saturday 15 August 2026. It is not possible to reserve works ahead of them being on sale. 

There will also be a range of specially developed merchandise, including a limited-edition vinyl figure, available to purchase at YSP Shop, in-store and online, from the same times. 

Own Art is available on most purchases over £250 at YSP Shop, allowing you to borrow from £250 to £25,000, and pay it back over 10 months interest free.

A full catalogue of the original works will be available to view on the YSP website from Friday 7 August 2026.  

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