Illustration student’s joy and surprise as her gargoyle comes to 'life’ 

Student illustrator Catya Elise says she was ‘surprised and excited’ at being selected as one of the artists for a new sculpture trail across York this summer. Her work is one of 12 striking sculptures that have been installed in the city in a celebration of heritage, creativity and community.

The Watchers of York sculptures are inspired by the carved grotesques high above York Minster with each unique figure decorated by a different artist. 

Catya’s successful submission for the trail The Scholar’s Keeper, incorporates historical texts relating to York and the Minster.  It’s now gone on display at the front of our Lord Mayor’s Walk campus in the centre of York. 

The second-year Illustration student said: 

“It was a surprise to be selected! We were given the option to choose any of the given themes, but since I am currently a student, the Scholar’s Keeper felt most appropriate.  

“I thought this would be an excellent opportunity to showcase how, like the gargoyle, the York Minster Library and Archives keep records and protect bits of knowledge that otherwise may have been forgotten. Instead of using actual book pages, I was given access to digital copies of three historical texts: the York Gospel, the Book of Hours, and the Pavement or Pulleyn Hours.” 

Bringing the Watcher to ‘life’ 

Catya describes her artistic practice as quite playful, often with bright colours and bold, black lines. While studying Illustration at York St John, she’s been particularly focused on Mexican folk art, with elements of that in her own work.  

The sculpture project is also a divergence from Catya’s typical mediums of choice, acrylics and printmaking, but she says she was still able to play around with ‘folkloric’ elements and patterns within the gargoyle design: 

“The Scholar’s Keeper is decoupaged from nose to tail with pages from the books. I looked for pages with inhabited or foliated initials, as well as illustrations. The decoupaging process was arduous, since I had to cut two hundred pages into thin strips and soak them in water before applying to the surface of the gargoyle with mod podge. 

“The pages from each book were slightly different in colour, which allowed me to create a pattern as I went along. My favourite addition is the various saint illustrations scattered across the gargoyle. A few of them are a bit humorous and act as a kind of scavenger hunt when viewing the sculpture.” 

The joy of community art 

The 12 sculptures are now on display across the city until the end of August when they will move to an exhibition in York Minster.    

Catya said: 

“I’m glad to see it happily sitting under a tree, and I am also excited for people to see gospel pages that would have otherwise remained safely kept within the Minster archives. 

“Community art projects bring me joy, and I love being able to participate in them whenever I am given the chance. I think projects like this are important and show a range of what human artists can do, particularly with the sudden increase of AI in murals and posters. This was an extremely hands-on endeavor, and I’m proud to share it with the community.”  

Charlene Clempson, Senior Lecturer and Illustration course lead said: 

"Catya’s submission was exceptionally well thought out, resulting in a well-conceived and considered final piece. Projects like this are a fantastic opportunity; they offer York St John arts students the chance to develop a professional practice while creating work for the local community.” 

 Helen Turner, Associate Head: Fine Art said: 

"We are really enjoying the realisation of Catya’s unique decoupage approach to The Scholar’s Keeper. This thoughtful and complex work encourages close looking and is a welcome invitation for trail followers to venture onto our beautiful campus.

"The sculpture showcases just one student’s work but stands as a symbol for the engagement with place, history and learning that all our students experience." 

The trail was produced by Make It York in collaboration with York Minster. Sarah Loftus, Managing Director of Make It York said: 

“It’s been a pleasure to work with talented local artists such as Catya, and we’re delighted that their creativity and distinctive artistic styles bring fresh perspectives to the trail, inspiring visitors while showcasing the incredible emerging talent within the city.” 

After the exhibitions, the Watchers are being auctioned off though Catya says she won’t be bidding! 

“I don’t get to keep my Watcher, sadly. And he’s a bit too big for my flat I think. He’d be a terrible roommate.” 

More details The Watchers of York | Visit York 

More about our courses Fine Art, Illustration and Photography | York St John University