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Elisabeth Frink: A Retrospective

19. February — 21. April,

Main and Upper Gallery
Free Entry, donations welcome

Dame Elisabeth Frink RA (1930 – 1993) is widely considered to be the most celebrated female figurative sculptor in 20th Century Britain.

This retrospective exhibition, the first in over 25 years, brings together many of Frink’s most important works with photography, correspondence and personal items, a number of which will be displayed for the first time.


Elisabeth Frink, Eagle Lectern, 1962 © The Elisabeth Frink Estate

Having trained at Guildford and Chelsea School of Art, Frink was associated with the ‘Geometry of Fear’ sculptors during her early career, winning a prize in the ‘Monument to the Unknown Political Prisoner’ competition. But as artists of the 1960s turned increasingly to abstraction, Frink continued to develop an interest in figurative work, focusing upon naturalistic imagery, making her unique amongst her peers. 

Recurring forms of men, animals and birds were employed by the artist to explore great themes such as aggression, vulnerability, suffering and struggle.

Works in the exhibition are loaned from The Ingram Collection of Modern British Art, Tate, Elisabeth Frink Estate and Yorkshire Sculpture Park.


The exhibition is supported by The Henry Moore Foundation.

Tues 16 Apr: Talk- In Conversation: Great British Sculpture | Upcoming Exhibitions |