The sounds of the Peak District’s caves and hills are being brought to Sheffield city centre – thanks to a new exhibition.

Arts Catalyst has introduced the Skylarking installation at a venue on The Moor to connect audiences with their understanding of nature and audio production. 

It portrays the relationship between landscapes, music and belonging with a setting to invite reflection, rest and listening. 

The artist, Ashley Holmes, is a Sheffield-based multidisciplinary DJ and music producer. 

He said: “The works in the exhibition amplify the sounds of the architecture of caves, hills and public spaces in the city, making reference to the echoes and influence of pioneering producers.”

The exhibition features a circular installation accompanied by six speakers playing the work of creative writers Wemmy Ogunyankin and Akeem Balogun, voice actor Bel Odawa, musician Seigfried Komidashi and artist Joseph June Bond. 

A circular sofa in the middle of the installation allows space for listeners to take time and contemplate the stories. 

The words and music are ‘manipulated’ in response to the Peak District and its reverberations. 

The artist hopes the audio will lead listeners to question how they understand landscapes and the countryside beyond social norms. 

The exhibition makes many references to influential creators, ‘Devil Mix’ productions in the grime genre, and experimental techniques of popular Black music of the 21st century. 

Artist Mr Holmes said in the past, Western conventions of ‘ownership’ have influenced both music circulation and people’s right to access land. 

He said musical practices that go around the rules of copyright are frowned upon – and are illegal in some cases – yet their value is heard through the way they fill in the gaps of an artist’s vision.

In a world where originality is deemed as ‘proper’, these methods of producing music go beyond boundaries to make the music industry a more varied place.

The space hosting the exhibition, Arts Catalyst, was based in London for 26 years before moving to Sheffield in 2020.

Nicola Triscott, the founder of Arts Catalyst, said: “Over the last three decades, we have commissioned over 170 creative projects that have at their heart a desire to connect people with ideas about the world around them.” 

The space is an arts organisation and charity dedicated to allowing people to engage with nature and positive social change, while expanding ways to learn about the world around them. 

This exhibition is a part of an initiative called The Mouth, in collaboration with Sheffield Museums, where the themes continue through Ways of Water at the Millennium Gallery.

Both exhibitions aim to unearth cavities, portals, and openings in landscapes through image and sound. 

Skylarking is open to view for free at the Soft Ground exhibition space on The Moor until 18 May, from Wednesday to Saturday 12pm – 5pm.