Ogden Water nature reserve residency
Artist Sally Barker is blending drawing, painting and sculpture in response to the beautiful natural environment of Ogden Water nature reserve
About sally
Sally Barker is Ogden Water Nature Reserve’s Artist in Residence as part of Calderdale’s Year of Culture.
Sally works mainly with sculpture and installation but also with video, printing, painting and the occasional performance. She explores ideas around power, control and fault both in relation to feminism and the natural environment. She often uses casting and ceramic techniques, as casting brings an element of reality and presence.
She explores our often destructive relationship with the natural world, by combining elements of the body with natural objects, whether through cast techniques or by manipulating and leaving her mark on the clay.
Sally Barker - Dark Cloud
Sally has exhibited nationally and internationally and is a member of the Royal Society of Sculptures and is an active member of Yorkshire Sculptors. In addition, Sally is a socially engaged artist and runs projects, courses and workshops, with an emphasis on creatively supporting people who have physical, emotional or mental health needs. She is currently visual arts lead for Hoot Creative Arts, an arts and mental health organisation in Huddersfield.
To find out more about Sally, please visit her website.
Ogden Water Residency
During the residency, Sally will be working on a new body of work, sculpture and drawings, examining our relationship with nature, and our connection to the natural environment. She will be experimenting with natural materials and elements from this incredible place and running workshops and open studio sessions so people can come along and try some of the processes she is working on.
About the reserve
Ogden Water Local Nature Reserve is located 4 miles North of Halifax. There are numerous woodland trails and waterside paths to explore, including 1 ¼ miles of wheelchair accessible pathway around the reservoir and through sections of the woodlands. If you get up high to the edge of the woodlands you will be rewarded with stunning views extending across Calderdale, Bradford and as far as Selby and the Peak District.
Ogden Water is a Local Nature Reserve. The estate comprises a 34 acre reservoir enclosed by woodland with open moor beyond. The heather uplands and peat moors form part of a Special Protection Area that is of international importance for breeding birds such as curlew, snipe, grouse and various birds of prey.
Over 300,000 people, (and increasing!), visit Ogden Water every year for walking, picnics, family outings and nature activities.
Workshops
Check back here for dates and information on Sally’s workshops and open studios sessions. We will also be announcing these events on our social media.