Artist draws on Ice Age for new addition to tourist trail

Waves and Time, by artist Chris Drury, is just a short walk from Thixendale and has been inspired by the ancient flow of ice and water that formed the steep valleys around it during the last Ice Age.

Mr Drury, who has previously worked in the snow of Antarctica and the desert sands of Nevada, is using the earth to form a large spiral that reaches across the valley floor to a recreated dew pond.

The artist, who has worked with a steering group from the village to devise the project, said: “The valley itself is the sculpture, so that anything there has to be very subtle to the point of invisibility. My plan is to make a few lines in gentle rolling mounded grass banks that follow the original movement of the ice and water.”

The piece, which is expected to be completed shortly, is one of several being created along the Wolds Way by tourism body Visit Hull and East Yorkshire as part of its Wander project - the first collection of public art on a national trail.

Last week, pagan poles and warrior sculptures were unveiled on the trail near Malton.

Janet Reuben, VHEY chief executive, said: “It is exciting to see this major development progressing so positively. The artworks look absolutely stunning and visitors will be in awe of what they see. This unique trail will entice lots of visitors to this region and open their eyes to the natural beauty of the Yorkshire Wolds.”

Jane Evison, cabinet member for cultural services at East Riding Council, called the artwork “wonderful”.