York Art Gallery is excited to be exhibiting two works by Sam Metz: a wooden sculpture titled Stone and a pencil drawing study for the sculpture. The Yorkshire-based artist has recently had solo exhibitions at The Art House, Wakefield (2022), the Attenborough Arts Centre, the University of Leicester (2022), and the Hull Artist Research Initiative (2021). Working across multiple platforms, from drawing to sculpture and performance, Metz aims to illustrate the unpredictable nature of disabled bodies through their creative practices. Short performances are a key part of the development of Metz’s visual practice, as a neurodivergent and disabled performer. The artist records these performances through drawing-as-stimming, film, animation, and sculptural installation.
To expand its collection, York Art Gallery has been actively building a collection of modern and contemporary studies and portrayals of the human body since 2012. The primary objective at first was to increase more works by female artists. More recently, the organisation has focused on collecting artwork by LGBTQIA+ artists and creatives from the Global Majority.
Speaking of their exciting sculpture, Sam Metz, said: “This is the first time that my work has been acquired by a collection and it means a lot to me when I consider the legacy of my work as a disabled, queer artist. It feels particularly warming for the work to have been funded by Harold Gosney, and to have my sculptural work, which is supported by Yorkshire Sculpture International, held in this esteem. It has energised me to create new work.”
Hard at work, Metz is also currently finishing off projects with 87 Gallery, Hull, and has recently begun studying for a MA in Art and Ecology at Goldsmiths, London.
The sculpture will go on display in their permanent collection galleries this month.
For more information, please visit www.yorkartgallery.org.uk.
Add a comment