A close-up view of a large, woven sculpture made of natural materials, positioned in a spacious interior. In the background, a dark wooden door with an arched top is visible, framed by light-coloured walls and flooring.
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Laura Ellen Bacon: Into Being

– Chapel

About Laura Ellen Bacon: Into Being

Book your tickets to YSP this Easter to see two new exhibitions by two exceptional female artists – Laura Ellen Bacon and Felicity Aylieff.

In the Chapel, discover Derbyshire-based Laura Ellen Bacon's exceptional immersive sculptural installation Into Being, created from natural materials. Weave your way through the building, to view a piece woven for the space in willow – a sustainable and warm material that Laura uses to create a surprising and compelling sensory experience. 

  • A woman stands beside large, intricately woven sculptures made of natural materials. The sculptures resemble organic forms and are set against a bright, minimalist gallery space with large windows. The woman wears a black top and jeans.
  • A large, organic sculpture made of intertwined natural materials sits in a bright, minimalist gallery. The piece resembles flowing, textured forms and is illuminated by natural light streaming through tall windows.
  • A large, organic sculpture made of intertwined natural materials resembles flowing waves or abstract forms. It is positioned in a bright room with large windows.
  • A close-up view of intertwined natural fibres, showcasing a complex pattern of brown and beige strands. The texture appears woven and layered, creating a sense of depth and intricacy in the arrangement of the materials.
  • A large, organic sculpture made of intertwined natural materials resembles flowing waves or abstract forms. It is positioned in a bright room with large windows, contrasting with the stone floor.
  • An interior space featuring large, intricately woven structures made of natural materials. The formations create winding pathways, with light filtering through a large window, highlighting the textures and organic shapes of the artwork.

Into Being was created by Laura inside the Chapel over an 8-week installation, using carefully woven and sustainably sourced Somerset willow. The scent of this natural material fills the Chapel, creating a full sensory experience. The repetitive weaving process has created a dense, flowing structure which envelops visitors into it's folds as it climbs three meters up the gallery wall.

Also on display are several smaller woven willow works, showcasing the versatility of the material and ways it can be used to make structural forms. A selection of drawings are exhibited on the balcony, in addition to a limited edition artwork created by the artist to accompany the exhibition, which is the first print Laura has ever made of her work.

  • A woven basket resembling a nest sits on a windowsill, framed by a large window. Soft natural light filters through, illuminating the intricate patterns of the basket and the greenery visible outside.
  • A unique wall-mounted coat rack featuring a wooden base with three hooks. Flowing from the base is an intricate, woven design made of natural materials, resembling a flowing wave or fabric, adding an artistic touch to the space.
  • A framed black and white artwork featuring a stylised tree with intricate leaf patterns and winding lines. The piece is displayed on a light-coloured wall, alongside another similar frame, showcasing a minimalist and artistic aesthetic.

Exhibition supported by Hignell Gallery.

For more detail, read the press release.

Exhibition Accessibility

The exhibition is located in The Chapel, which is a converted 18th-century building. It is an approximately 10-minute walk from the main Visitor Centre through the country park, down a steep sloping hill. Off-road mobility scooters are available to hire from YSP Centre free of charge.

Access to the Chapel is via steps or a grassed ramp at the main entrance. The ground floor has flat access throughout, with stone flagstones and a metal grate running the length of the gallery. The upper balcony is accessed by a steep, sharply turning staircase which may not be suitable to visitors with mobility issues.

There is bench seating available on the ground floor, and pew seating on the balcony. There are no public toilet facilities at the Chapel.

For detailed information on accessibility at the Chapel, please see our accessibility guide.

Accessibility Resources

The following resources are available for this exhibition. If you would like to make use of any of them, just ask a member of YSP staff.

  • Large Print interpretation
  • Braille interpretation
  • Audio version of the exhibition interpretation

Handling Materials

The artwork in this exhibition is too delicate to touch, so handling materials are available for visitors to feel and hold instead.

For more detailed access information about the exhibition and galleries, download our Laura Ellen Bacon Exhibition Accessibility Guide.

Family activities

In the Chapel, you’ll find a variety of creative activities designed to help you and your own family connect to the themes and artworks in the exhibition.

Pick up an activity card to help you explore, grab a bag of handling resources and watch a time-lapse film of Laura creating the sculpture. Teachers can download our Teacher's Notes to support visits with their students.

A group of four people, including two children, interact with a large, woven sculpture made of natural materials. One adult observes while another touches the textured surface. The setting appears to be a bright, spacious gallery.

Laura Ellen Bacon Products

Browse the Laura Ellen Bacon collection at YSP Shop.

  1. Laura Ellen Bacon: Holding

    £175.00
    More info

Related Events

  1. A wicker basket with a handle, sitting on a wooden table.
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    Willow Frame Basket Weaving Workshop with Joe Gregory

    Learn to weave your own frame basket using techniques and different willows to create a sturdy unique basket with artist Joe Gregory.
  2. A group of adults and babies sitting together in a circle. In the centre is a smiling baby crawling towards their adult.
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  4. A group of people standing underneath a large tree covered in green leaves.
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