Sheffield Fishink travels

It’s about a 40 minute train ride from Manchester to Sheffield, I’ve never actually visited, always just passing through during my student days, taking coaches between Nottingham and Liverpool. So, a few weeks ago, I decided to remedy this and go and see what the city had to offer. It was a bit of a grey January start.

Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough in South Yorkshire, England. Historically part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through it. The city is in the eastern foothills of the Pennines, 61% of Sheffield’s entire area is green space, and a third of the city lies within the Peak District national park. There are more than 250 parks, woodlands and gardens in the city, and Sheffield is estimated to contain over two million trees. (Wikipedia)

I had hoped to be in time for the Ravilious and Co exhibition at the Millennium Gallery, which came from the Towner Art Gallery to Sheffield and is moving onto Compton Verney Art Gallery in March this year. Sadly I was too late and it had finished, which for a free exhibition, I was feeling crazy to have missed, especially as the entrance fee for a non member at Compton Verney will be £25! There was however, a great gallery shop with a range of Ravilious products, I treated myself to this book and look forward to dipping into it when I get the chance. Opposite is a lovely scarf designed by Tirzah Ravilious (nee Garwood).

I was impressed by the Winter Gardens, attached to the Gallery and housing botanical plants and sculptures. It’s a lovely airy space.

There was a room selling a range of designer/makers work. These cheeky birds caught my eye from Felting for England.

A collection of ceramic scenes by Sarah Moss.

And a delightful mix of scenes and birds from Frances Noon.

In the 19th century, Sheffield gained an international reputation for steel production. Known as the Steel City, many innovations were developed locally, including crucible and stainless steel, fuelling an almost tenfold increase in the population in the Industrial Revolution. Sheffield received its municipal charter in 1843, becoming the City of Sheffield in 1893. International competition in iron and steel caused a decline in these industries in the 1970s and 1980s, coinciding with the collapse of coal mining in the area.

There’s a whole host of steel and silver artifacts on permanent exhibition at the gallery, I was drawn to the pieces with animals in them.

Beautiful, intricate work.

Forks, serving spoons, walking stick ends, door handles… the list goes on and on.

Does anyone know what this (above right) was used for ? Answer at the end of the post.

Some of the pieces were dated as early as the 16th century !

Outside I spotted this elephant, high above the Cutlers Hall.

Just around the corner from the Millenium Gallery is the Library and the Graves Gallery, where this exhibition of British photographer Dan Holdsworth was taking place.

The rest of the art gallery had a great collection of mid century paintings.

Quite a few familiar names but also a few new ones to investigate further.

Hard to appreciate the true splendour of some of these pieces, as they are behind glass with light shining on them too.

Beautiful landscapes from Paul Nash and Harry Epworth Allen.

All in all a great day out and a fab introduction to Sheffield with it’s not one but two Art Galleries. I will return, but probably not until it’s warmer ! Well done to those of you who correctly spotted that I’d forgotten to tell you what the mystery object was above … doh.. It’s a device to take the top off your soft boiled egg !

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