Cliffe Castle Exhibitions
Permanent displays include the spectacular Reception Rooms, furnished with some of the original contents, including magnificent chandeliers and a monumental French clock topped by a bronze statue.
'Airedale: the Formation and Life of a Valley' explains how the local area was formed by powerful natural forces. 'Working Landscapes' considers the many ways in which our ancestors have shaped and exploited their surroundings since the arrival of the first farmers, 6,000 years ago. The Natural History Gallery displays preserved examples of many of the animals that live in the District (all recent specimens are prepared by our resident taxidermist from accidentally killed animals - car, window and cat casualties are often brought in by members of the public). 'Molecules to Minerals', a glittering array of colourful crystals and polished stone slabs, explains what minerals are and how they formed - find out how to tell real gold from fool's gold.
Visitors to Cliffe Castle Museum can now see the newly completed Keighley Stories gallery and Breakfast Room. Telling the stories of Keighley and its people, the displays are filled with exciting objects from the towns past. From two-headed lambs and calves to magic spells and from a lavish doll's house to a wife taming cradle, there really is something for everyone. As part of the fun you can enjoy our Keighley Stories trail, an adventure of discovery throughout the building.
In addition to the permanent displays, Cliffe Castle runs a broad programme of exhibitions.
Current and upcoming exhibitions
27 March - 27 September 2010
Shattered - Claudia Clare
Clay pots are long lasting; they are a primary source of evidence from archaeological sites. They can be shattered and pieced back together. ’I was shattered, but now I’m slowly piecing myself back together again’ is a statement used by many of the women who worked with artist Claudia Clare. The pots in this series respond to an international collection of stories from women who have survived violence in many forms either in the home or the workplace. These large, fragmented ceramic pots will be placed as interventions throughout the suite of reception rooms at Cliffe Castle Museum. Following recent renovation work by local craftspeople these rooms recreate the lavish and beautiful domestic interiors of the Victorian and Edwardian stately home. The pots, like these interiors are remnants of human interaction and human experience and explore the concept of survival, whilst prompting contemplation of forgotten stories.
26 June - 5 September 2010
Shocking Electricity
Sparks will fly in this exhibition of weird and wonderful experiments for all ages. All the key elements for a Frankenstein laboratory and more! Make an explosion using just water, experiment with batteries and generators, magnets and plasma globes, and see if you dare touch the electric fence.
11 September - 5 December 2010
Sculpture by Nicola Hicks
Nicola Hicks' visual vocabulary moves between figure and fauna with a mercurial sensibility owing as much to contemporary sculpture as it does to modern myth making. Within the cosmopolitan pageant of maquettes and sculptures shown here, there are both beasts - in the Cartesian sense - and a horde of human animals. During a seven-year sabbatical from the city that saw Hicks relocate to Cumbria, animals increasingly became the focus of her work, however, returning to London, her critical attentions shifted in accord with her changing environment. Nicola Hicks was born in London in 1960. She studied at Chelsea School of Art and completed postgraduate studies at the Royal College of Art. She has had several major solo shows in leading museums and galleries in Britain, most recently at the prestigious Abbot Hall Gallery in Kendal. In association with Flowers, London.
11 December 2010 - 30 January 2011
Keighley and Bingley Art Clubs
A chance to view and purchase an original work of art. The very best and latest work by club members.
2 October 2010 - 6 March 2011
FlaX Textile Group
FlaX is a group of six Textile Artists based in Yorkshire and Lancashire who support and encourage one another whilst exploring new themes and ideas for exhibition. On this occasion they have taken their inspiration from the wealth of wonderful artefacts in Cliffe Castle. This is an opportunity for them to demonstrate the diversity within the group, each choosing a different subject and putting their own interpretation upon it. Tapestries, embroideries and weaves will be places amongst the museum objects around the buildings, linking with prime historical objects that have inspired the artists.
5 February - 3 April 2011
Good Start 11
A showcase of work by young, artistic talent from Bradford and the Aire Valley. An opportunity to view some of the varied and inspiring work produced by local sixth form college students. Includes workshops with artist Lisa Dracup.
