LEEDS
Not to be dismissed as an industrial student town, Leeds has plenty of Northern charm and is the base for the Yorkshire sculpture triangle. The recent investment in regional museums has certainly upped Leeds’ ante, making it a tempting offer.
THE HEPWORTH WAKEFIELD
WEBSITE: WWW.HEPWORTHWAKEFIELD.ORG
VISIT TIME: 1 HOUR
Rightly awarded Museum of the Year in 2017, The Hepworth Wakefield is a stunning concrete architectural arrangement courtesy of international museum builder David Chipperfield. It displays temporary shows and the Wakefield art collection, but the real gem is the donation from the Barbara Hepworth family to the institute. As with most museums dedicated to an artist, you can see some of her maquette and models, private objects, and, in this case, her book collection. What the museum misses is good examples of her works, but these can be admired in the nearby Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
LEEDS ART GALLERY
Located in the centre of Leeds, the Leeds Art Gallery rose to prominence when it was awarded a large collection of British 20th Century art by the government. It recently underwent a renovation adding some new sleek spaces to the Victorian building, such as the central court, which is light and elegant. Not solely replying on the collection (which is very good), the display is ever changing, and often peppered with works of contemporary artist, both local and international.
