Astrid Butt is the recipient of the 2023 Yorkshire Graduate Award, a unique residency opportunity for a recent graduate from a Yorkshire-based university. Residencies have always been at the heart of YSP, offering opportunities for early career and emerging artists to reflect and move forward with their practice. Astrid began her residency at YSP in October 2023, returning to the park in January and April 2024 while completing her MA in Fine Art at the University of Leeds.

Working across film and performance, Astrid’s practice utilises the grotesque and the surreal to express female anxieties, with a particular focus on generational trauma and the terrors of the body. Her work takes on a feminist perspective, centred around hybridised animal-human characters which she uses to discuss topics including domestic abuse, motherhood and sexual assault.

Butt spent her residency developing her practice and shooting a surreal horror-mystery film which reimagines YSP as a cursed land that turns the women who visit it into animals. The piece is an exploration of womanhood in relation to the human form, and the terror of not being in control of your own body.

The film will be screened in the Boathouse from 24-26 August, where Astrid will be on hand to introduce her work and talk about her residency experience. The Boathouse will be open between 11.00–16.00 during the screening.

This film contains sensitive content that might not be suitable for all visitors, including gore, nudity, flashing lights and references to violence, domestic violence and sexual assault.

Please speak with a member of YSP staff if you would like more information before viewing the exhibition.

The following organisations provide support for domestic violence and sexual abuse:

Refuge provides specialist support including the National Domestic Abuse Helpline. Call 0808 2000 247 for free, confidential support, 24/7.

Women’s Aid offers support and information via live chat, email, and through local services across the UK.

Well Women Centre Wakefield provides emotional and practical support in a women-only space. Call 01924 211 114.

Galop supports LGBTQIA+ people who have experienced abuse or violence.

SARSAS supports people affected by rape or any kind of sexual assault or abuse at any time in their lives. Call 0808 801 0456