The Sense of Sculpture is a ground-breaking exhibition by artist Dr Victoria Claire, which invites audiences to experience sculpture through touch, sound, and emotion. With over 30 years of practice, Claire has continued to create while gradually losing her eyesight due to Retinitis Pigmentosa. Now with 0% percent vision with only light perception, she is pioneering new ways of making and experiencing sculpture that celebrate resilience, inclusivity, and the power of sensory connection.
Rooted in Wakefield, the birthplace of Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth – and their belief that touch and physical interaction are essential to experiencing sculpture – this exhibition challenges the visual dominance of contemporary art. Visitors are guided through a pitch-black gallery by a tactile path and rope, discovering sculptures through touch, sound, and spatial awareness.
Created as her own eyesight fades, The Sense of Sculpture is a deeply personal journey of resilience and creativity, challenging how we encounter art. The exhibition transforms how we think about sculpture: from objects to be looked at, to experiences to be felt.
Alongside the show, a programme of engagement and workshops explores accessibility in the arts, opening conversations around creativity, empathy, and the strength of the human spirit.
The Sense of Sculpture is more than an exhibition – it is an invitation to rethink how we connect with art, each other, and the world around us.
Kindly supported by Henry Moore Foundation
ACCESS
This exhibition is featured in the Tiled Gallery.
– The gallery space is completely dark (pitch black).
– A member of staff will be at the entrance to the gallery to support people and explain the experience.
– The gallery is Guide and Support dog-friendly (We ask that dogs be kept on leads).
– The room has level access, and allows space for wheelchair/mobility aid/pushchair users or people with Guide dogs to pass comfortably.
-The exhibition includes Audio, Braille, Easier Read and Dyslexia-friendly interpretations.
-Sensory ear defenders are available for use during your visit, and can be picked up at the front desk.
We also offer private exhibition views by appointment.
See our Access Page for more information