A well deserved nomination for Amelia Frances Wood for the 2025 PSSA Marsh Award for Excellence in Public Sculpture

Alumno commissioned Amelia to create bespoke public sculpture for their student accommodation scheme in Leeds. Amelia`s work can be viewed in the rain garden at the Terry Frost House on Sheepscar Lane. ‘Forged In The Muddy Beck’ is a set of five ceramic sculptures that pay homage to the lost rivers of Leeds, in particular the Sheepscar Beck that runs alongside the Terry Frost building and the storied legacy of Burmantofts pottery. Drawing inspiration from the hidden currents of the city, the sculptures capture the essence of the Sheepscar Beck that meandered through Leeds, resonating with the echoes of its waters that have long since disappeared from view. It’s not only the river’s course that finds expression within these works; the rich heritage of Burmantofts pottery also emerges. The signature vessel silhouettes that once adorned Burmantofts creations intertwine with these ceramic forms. These sculptures serve as both a celebration of the past and a bridge to the present.

The PSSA Marsh Award for Excellence in Public Sculpture and Fountains is run in partnership with @marshawards and celebrates outstanding contemporary public sculpture and monuments installed in the previous year, fostering a broader engagement with this vital art form.