Annie Montgomerie - Missies and Nippers at Yorkshire Sculpture Park

Annie Montgomerie - Felby

 

Annie Montgomerie - Missies and Nippers is on at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP) until Sunday 1 November 2026.  I find Annie's work fascinating and love to inspect her individual characters.  The very life like, anthropomorphised creatures are kitted out in clothes and shoes and are usually carrying a toy which may be a smaller version of the creature holding it.  As the title suggests her characters are rooted in childhood. Their eyes are particularly startling.  I think the smaller creatures look like taxidermy with clothes on. 

Annie Montgomerie - Larfa

They are very cleverly created. We are told that the heads and faces are sculpted with plasticine and layered with fabric to achieve a stiff outer shell.  The bodies, arms and legs are constructed round wire armatures or found objects. Dressed in vintage finds, Annie's creatures have an old fashioned threadbare look.

Annie Montgomerie - Mumfs

Some were presented standing on alphabet blocks which I thought was particularly effective.

Annie Montgomerie - Willow

Annie Montgomerie - Teartear

Slowboy looked very melancholy...

Annie Montgomerie - Slowboy

There were more exotic creatures too...

Annie Montgomerie - Missies and Nippers (various)

I think you might find them like Marmite - you'll love them or hate them.  Whichever it is for you, you can't help but admire the construction and attention to detail.  Go see!