As part of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture a new landscape ornament has appeared on an elevated spot above the little town of Haworth, best known as the home of the Brontë sisters. Creative Director Shanaz Gulzar commissioned four artists to create site-specific works for Penistone Hill Country Park. The project is called Wild Uplands as the artworks are sited on a lofty and lonely common (the wily, windy moors of Kate Bush’s Wuthering Heights) that is only ten miles or so from busy Bradford.
County Durham-based artist Steve Messam has created The Tower, a 10 metre high arched structure clad in the raw fleeces of two breeds of sheep that can be found on the local hills: the Lonk and the Derbyshire Gritstone. In his own words Messam ‘draws inspiration from geology, cultural histories, and farming methods, to create installations that bring a sense of place to life’.
Messam’s work references both the importance of wool to the development of Bradford, and the very stone that was used to build the handsome stone town in the nineteenth century (it became a city in 1897). Close to The Tower is a former quarry, and abandoned blocks of stone can be seen scattered on the hillside.
The Tower is built of blocks of plywood and steel mesh around a steel and aluminium frame. The blocks are clad in the untreated fleeces, which echo the muted beiges and greys of the building stone from the quarry.
There’s an immersive sound walk that accompanies the artworks, created by Opera North, or you can just enjoy the ever-changing soundscape of the breeze rustling through the grass and (when the Flâneuse visited) the song of the meadow pipits.
Visitors can walk up to the four installations from Haworth village, or it’s a short level stroll from Penistone Hill car park. The temporary landmark can be seen until 12 October 2025 and there’s more information on the Tower and the other artworks here.
Thank you for reading. The comments box is in its usual spot at the foot of the page if you would like to share any thoughts.
Gwyn Headley says:
I didn’t know thete was more than one Penistone!
Keren says:
I daren’t say how the locals pronounce it – but it’s sadly appropriate to this unsympathetic pile of hairy boxes…
Editor says:
Oh well. Those who admire it (as I certainly do) can enjoy it until October. Those who don’t can take solace in the fact that it is temporary.
Keren says:
I like the concept – in the great tradition of the 18thC folly builders – but the execution I find too naive (and not in a good way). It looks like a piece of average Brutalist sculpture got lost on the way to a 1970s shopping centre. The wool covering contributes nothing by way of aesthetics (and I pity the poor soul who has to dismantle it, soggy and stinking). It’s too hard edged to work in a natural setting, though it could work in an urban one, to make viewers ponder the disconnect between the natural world and the one they inhabit, and what effect human efforts have on the natural world.
But I have too much experience of art school abstract sculptor thinking to see much merit in its current placing! 😜
Editor says:
Good morning Gwyn. It was news to me too. It’s a wonderful wild spot and I will go back to explore further.
Catherine Parker says:
I like it – it is unusual and inspiring while relevant to the landscape around.
Editor says:
Hello Catherine. The photos can’t do it full justice as ideally you need the full experience of feeling the breeze and hearing the birds. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
TOM GARDNER says:
TOM (NYC)
VISUALLY, I FOUND THE ‘STRUCTURE’ INTERESTING.
THE DETAILS WERE ANOTHER STORY.
BUT AS THEY SAY …
NOTHING LASTS FOREVER; EXCEPT TAXES & DEATH.
THANKS TOM
Editor says:
Good afternoon Tom. It is an interesting structure and, whatever one thinks of it, it has generated conversation about contemporary art – which is always a good thing. I’m sorry I can’t swoosh you over the Atlantic to see it for yourself.
Gand says:
What a brilliant thing for Bradford. Temporary it maybe but striking it is.
For folks who like sculpture there is a wonderful sculpture in Norfolk gardens, Bradford. Representing the multi faith City that Bradford is.
Editor says:
Hello Gand. I haven’t seen the tower in Bradford city centre yet, but I will do soon. Yes Bravo Bradford.
Moira Garladn says:
The view is empty – of human made structures. Those hills are full of life though 🙂 I might get mesen over there as it’s just a few miles west of where I live. Lovely Yorkshire countryside. Thanks for this novel post Folly Flaneuse.
Editor says:
Hello Moira. It is amazing how empty the landscape is, yet so close to a busy city. Well worth a visit.
David Edgar says:
Public sculpture in UK has to be tough. In Dumfries and Galloway the landscape around the Glen Kiln Reservoir was enhanced by 6 large sculptures by Henry Moore, Auguste Rodin and Jacob Epstein. Years ago I enjoyed driving round trying to spot them. Alas, for one reason or another only one remains. See Wikipedia “Glen Kiln Sculpture Park” and http://www.dumfries-and-galloway.co.uk/sights/glenkiln.htm “Exploring Glen”.
The installations were in harmony with a discrete area such as this.
Editor says:
Thank you David for reminding me about this site. I have never visited, but remember reading about it. I shall enjoy exploring the online article, thanks for including the link.