Public Art
There is art and culture around every corner in Barnsley…
Everything from sculptures and soundscapes to memorials and murals, as a town we want to showcase interesting and exciting work that reflects the uniqueness and rich heritage of our beautiful borough.
Representing landscapes, industry, famous faces and iconic moments, public art is abundant on our streets and in our villages making it a very special place to explore.
Free to all and with a fascinating story to tell public art makes the history of the Barnsley come to life.
Phoebe Locke Memorial Tower - Richard Phené Spiers, 1877
Locke Park was donated to the people of Barnsley in 1862 by Phoebe Locke in memory of her husband, Joseph Locke, the famous railway engineer and MP, who died on Sunday 16 September 1860. The tower was built by Sarah McCreery in memory of her sister, Phoebe Locke, who died on Saturday 15 December 1866. The architect, Richard Phené Spiers, had trained in Paris.
Bright and Bold - David Appleyard, 2007
Stainless steel facade to two electricity sub-stations. The panels were laser cut with poetry by Leeds based poet James Nash. They are illuminated at night with blue LED lighting.
Dickie Bird - Graham Ibbeson, 2009
The work depicts Dickie Bird in familiar pose with a finger raised to give a batsman out.
Crossing (Vertical) - Nigel Hall, 2013
Crossing (Vertical) by Nigel Hall was donated to Barnsley by Yorkshire Sculpture Park and celebrates the opening of one of Barnsley's social history museums, Experience Barnsley. It illustrates certain shapes that Hall employs regularly. Lines, whether horizontal, vertical or diagonal, and ellipses are devices he uses in combination to articulate his understanding of space.
Tin’t Tin Tin - 154 Collective, 2015
A large-scale hand painted stainless steel sculpture commissioned by Beam and Barnsley Council to celebrate the rich manufacturing heritage of Barnsley, and in particular the Barnsley Canister Company.
Loom - Tim Ward, 2015
The 'Loom' Sculpture based in Worsbrough Common, celebrates the town's history of linen making and the hand loom weavers who were based in the area.
As The Stars That Shall Be Bright When We Are Dust - Rachel Welford, 2015
Commemorating the Barnsley PALS Battalions, imagery for the artwork’s three glass columns was inspired by material from the Barnsley Archives. This includes soldiers’ diary entries, correspondence, official documents and newspapers.
Light Lines – Churchfield, 2016
Commissioned in 2016 by Barnsley Council to remember the many brave soldiers from Barnsley who fell in the Battle of the Somme.
Artists Musson & Retallick installed the memorial which features the faces of some of the Barnsley PALS Batallions who died so bravely fighting for freedom.
Oaks Colliery Disaster Memorial - Graham Ibbeson, 2017
The central feature is the woman and child rushing to the colliery on hearing the explosion that was to shatter the lives of many on 12 December 1866.
Bench (Sculptural Seat) - Dan Jones, 2018
Sculptural Seat explores the River Dearne, its changing biodiversity and the industries that have relied upon it or have been associated with it. The piece depicts the effects that industrialisation has had on the river both physically and biologically.
Goldthorpe Railway Enbankment Mural - Lydia Caprani, 2019
The mural centres around an old steam train because the site is where the train would pass while the pit was still up and running. Created with support from local volunteers.
Reverence (Covid Memorial) - Graham Ibbeson, 2021
The bronze sculpture commemorates those who died during the pandemic and pays tribute to key workers and volunteers. Reverence depicts ordinary working people and has been cast in bronze by sculptor Graham Ibbeson in collaboration with Lockbund Foundry. Barnsley poet Ian McMillan has provided the artwork’s emotive words ‘Barnsley’s fierce love holds you forever in its heart’.
Wildlife Screen - Dan Jones, 2021
Commissioned through Dearne Valley Landscape Partnership to replace an old bird hide as part of the Artists in Lockdown Project.
Success is a Journey, Not a Destination - Jim Robison, 2021
Sculpture by American born artist Jim Robison has been installed in the hidden glade at Cannon Hall. These four panelled ceramic pieces reflects the many aspects of Yorkshire, from the rural to the industrial, with an emphasis on educational discovery.
Kes (Barry Hines Memorial Statue) - Graham Ibbeson, 2021
The sculpture, of lead schoolboy character Billy, played by Dai, and his beloved bird, Kes, celebrates the late Barnsley author and his most famous work, his 1968 book, A Kestrel For A Knave, which was made into the hit movie and filmed in the town.
