Displayed in the 18th century Chapel, Dig Me a Grave by Claye Bowler explored graves and burial chambers as sites for introspection. Bowler uses these familiar structures as a way to open up conversations about how we process death and how we navigate living in its wake.

Drawing from lived experience of transness, queerness and disability, Bowler reflects on universal themes of waiting, transformation and mortality. Sculptures made in plaster, latex, stone and metal, some of which visitors are invited to sit or lie within, were accompanied by a soundscape inspired by traditional folk songs with themes relating to love and loss.

Over My Dead Body, a newly commissioned outdoor sculpture made for YSP, can be found in the Bothy Garden, near to YSP Centre. Claye will also be carving a sculpture on site during October half term. 

Visitors may remember the artist’s video in YSP’s group exhibition On Queer Ground in 2022.

In 2024 Bowler spent time on site as a recipient of an Arts Right Truth Residency with the University of York and YSP.

Supported by the Jerwood New Work Fund, Arts Council England and the Henry Moore Foundation.

Open Studio: Claye Bowler
12.30 – 13.00 daily from 25–31 October
YSP Stone Carving Site*

Join artist Claye Bowler in his open studio as he carves a new outdoor sculpture for Yorkshire Sculpture Park. As an extension of his current Chapel exhibition, Dig Me a Grave, this new sculpture will continue Claye's exploration of transformation and mortality, using stone sourced from the YSP site. This is a unique opportunity to see an artist making sculpture in and for the YSP landscape. 

Claye would like to invite YSP visitors to see the work being made, in an open studio format. These open studio sessions will take place daily at 12.30–13.00 from Saturday 25 to Friday 31 October.

*The YSP Stone Carving Site can be found behind YSP Learning. Follow signs from the YSP Learning entrance or ask a member of YSP Staff.

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 will be closed for the duration of this exhibition.

There is bench seating available on the ground floor. 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

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

Claye Bowler Products

Browse the Claye Bowler collection at YSP Shop.