Blue Plaque to Sculptor Austin Wright Unveiled by York Civic Trust

A new York Civic Trust blue plaque dedicated to Austin Wright was revealed yesterday, as part of annual May Bank Holiday celebrations in Poppleton.

Austin Wright is a significant post-war sculptor whose personal and professional lives were deeply intertwined with village and wider city. His sculptures are in many national collections, including the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, the Tate and the National Museum of Wales. 

The blue plaque was unveiled at Green View, Upper Poppleton, which was Wright’s home, studio and inspiration. The ceremony formed part of Poppleton’s bank holiday celebrations, and the plaque itself was unveiled by the newly crowned May Queen.

The unveiling was attended by around 100 people, including Austin Wright’s son, Crispin Wright, and University of York’s Art Curator, Helena Cox.

Speaking about the importance of Wright’s work, Helena Cox said, “Austin Wright deserves this plaque because he is one of the most outstanding sculptors of the 20th century in Britain. His work was inspired by his mentor Henry Moore, but also by his beautiful home and studio in Upper Poppleton. From his barn in his garden he produced an amazing body of work which is known across the north of England but also internationally, and his artwork has been acquired into collections across Europe as well as here in York.”

This is the first blue plaque York Civic Trust has unveiled since 2022. Duncan Marks, the Civic Society Manager of York Civic Trust, said, “It's wonderful to be able to recognise an artist such as Austin Wright, who chose to live in and be inspired by York, and Poppleton in particular.  He could have gone to a much bigger cultural centre, such as London, and made a bigger name for himself, but was utterly charmed by his adopted city, York. The blue plaque is a small way of saying thank you to him.”

Austin Wright originally moved to York in 1937 to teach languages at Bootham School, and began to teach at York Art School between 1949 and 1954. He thereafter became a full-time artist. His work uses different types of materials, ranging from stone, clay, lead, and most of all aluminium.  From the 1960s onwards, his art found new direction from interest in plant forms. He drew particular inspiration from his garden in Poppleton which also became an exhibition space, which large aluminium works to be found among trees and fauna.  

Some of Austin’s most recognised works are located at the University of York, including ‘Untitled’ which can be seen on the walkway to the J B Morrell Library. Wright died in 1997, having left a huge influence on York’s artistic scene.