Andy Goldsworthy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Andy Goldsworthy OBE
Goldsworthy in 2005
Born	(1956-07-25) 25 July 1956 (age 68) Cheshire, England
Known for	Sculpture, photography
Movement	Environmental art, land art
Spouse(s)	Judith Gregson (divorced)
Partner(s)	Tina Fiske

Andy Goldsworthy (born 25 July 1956) is a famous English artist. He is known for creating amazing sculptures and art pieces using natural materials. His art is often called land art or Environmental art. He makes his art in natural places like forests or beaches, and also in cities.

Early Life and Inspiration

Andy Goldsworthy was born in Cheshire, England, on July 25, 1956. He grew up near Leeds. From the age of 13, he worked on farms. He says that the repeated tasks on a farm, like picking potatoes, are similar to how he creates his sculptures. It's all about getting into a rhythm.

He studied art at Bradford College of Art and then at Preston Polytechnic. He earned his degree in art in 1978.

Andy Goldsworthy's Art Journey

Starting Out

A sculpture by Goldsworthy in the National Museum of Scotland.

After finishing college, Goldsworthy lived in different parts of England. In 1985, he moved to Scotland. He settled in a village called Penpont, where he still lives today. Moving north helped him find new places and ideas for his art.

He has received special awards and even taught sculpture at Cornell University in the USA.

Creating "Drawn Stone"

In 2003, Andy Goldsworthy made a special artwork for the de Young Museum in San Francisco. It was called "Drawn Stone." This piece showed cracks in the ground, like those caused by earthquakes, which are common in San Francisco. He used a hammer to create smaller cracks, making each one unique.

How Andy Goldsworthy Makes Art

Materials from Nature

Goldsworthy uses many different natural things for his art. He uses bright flowers, ice, leaves, mud, pinecones, snow, stones, twigs, and thorns. He believes it's important to work with all parts of nature. He doesn't try to change nature, but rather highlights what's already there.

He prefers to work with loose materials like pebbles or fallen stones. He feels these materials are "on a journey" and he can shape them. He doesn't usually carve into large, living rocks.

Temporary and Permanent Art

Many of Goldsworthy's artworks are small and only last for a short time. These are called "ephemeral" works. He often uses only his hands, teeth, or simple tools to create them. These temporary pieces show how things in nature change and decay over time.

For some larger, permanent sculptures, like "Roof" or "Stone River," he has used machines. For "Roof," he worked with skilled builders to make sure the structure was strong and would last. He is also seen as the person who started modern rock balancing.

The Role of Photography

Photography is very important for Andy Goldsworthy's art. Since many of his works are temporary and will disappear, photographs capture them. He takes most of the pictures himself. These photos allow people to see his art even after it has gone.

Goldsworthy says that a photograph shows his art at its best moment. It captures the time when the work is most "alive." Photography also helps him understand his own art better. It shows him how his ideas connect and grow over time.

Films About Andy Goldsworthy

There are two documentary films about Andy Goldsworthy's work. The first one, Rivers and Tides, came out in 2001. The second film, Leaning Into the Wind, was released in 2018. Both films were directed by Thomas Riedelsheimer.

Personal Life

Andy Goldsworthy has four children. He lives in Scotland with his partner, Tina Fiske.

Awards

• 1979 – North West Arts Award
• 1980 – Yorkshire Arts Award
• 1981 – Northern Arts Award
• 1982 – Northern Arts Award
• 1986 – Northern Arts Bursary
• 1987 – Scottish Arts Council Award
• 1989 – Northern Electricity Arts Award
• 2000 – Appointed officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Exhibitions and Installations

Andy Goldsworthy's art has been shown all over the world. Here are some examples of his amazing exhibitions and installations:

Image	Dates	Title	Location
	1995–2008	Sapsucker Cairn	Ithaca, New York, USA
	1996–2003	Sheepfolds	Cumbria, England, UK
	1997	Stone House	Herring Island, Victoria, Australia
	1997	Cairn	Herring Island, Victoria, Australia
	22 May – 15 November 2000	Andy Goldsworthy at Storm King Art Center (featuring the installation Storm King Wall)	Storm King Art Center Mountainville, Cornwall, New York, USA
	August 2001	Stone River	Cantor Arts Center, Stanford University Stanford, California, USA
	2002	Chalk Stones Trail	South Downs near West Dean, West Sussex
	2005	Drawn Stone	M. H. de Young Memorial Museum San Francisco
	31 March 2007 – 6 January 2008	Hanging Trees	Yorkshire Sculpture Park West Bretton, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England, UK
	2010-11	Wood Line	Park Presidio San Francisco
	7 September 2012 – 2 November 2012	Domo de Argila / Clay Dome	Cais do Porto Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

See Also

In Spanish: Andy Goldsworthy para niños

• Environmental art
• Environmental sculpture
• Greenmuseum.org
• Land art
• Rock balancing

Further Information

Articles:

• SPARK Educator Guide . Andy Goldsworthy at the de Young Museum in San Francisco. (Visual Arts: earthworks). (2005).

Books:

Film/Documentary

• Rivers and Tides (2001) documentary by Thomas Riedelsheimer
• Leaning into the Wind (2017) documentary by Thomas Riedelsheimer ()