Working from her garden studio in Mirfield, West Yorkshire, Samantha Bryan has produced a new body of work for her exhibition at YSP celebrating 20 years of making. Known for creating distinctive figures, she has gained a worldwide cult following.

For two decades Bryan has been making humorous yet industrious fairy-like creatures; adorned with items from her eclectic hoard of buttons, spotted feathers, seed pods, dyed leathers, and contraptions influenced by Victorian flying machines. She combines these materials and found objects to inform their intriguing personalities.

In 2002, shortly after graduating, Bryan exhibited her collectable fairies at YSP and appeared on the front cover of Crafts Magazine. Twenty years on, we are delighted to display a new collection in the main Visitor Centre this autumn. Bryan has utilised her most treasured found items – collected over many years – for this special celebratory exhibition.

Bryan says “it’s wonderful to arrive at the two-decade mark as a maker, and a celebratory exhibition at Yorkshire Sculpture Park makes it all the more special. Not only is it one of my favourite places, but it was also one of the first places that I showcased my work back in 2002. To be invited to return 20 years on feels like the perfect marker.”

Browse the collection

Works will be available to purchase from YSP Shop from 10.00 on Saturday 17 September, in person and by phone at 01924 832620.