Above the big high street names and bustling throngs of shoppers down The Moor, Mixed Metaphors offers a slice of deep time. This exhibition showcases new work by multidisciplinary artist Rachel Pimm. It's the latest artistic intervention to grace Soft Ground, a free-to-access community hub run by creative charity Arts Catalyst. Exploring the intersections between local rocks and minerals, industry, everyday objects, and ancient history, Pimm deftly weaves a visual and aural narrative that takes us back to the earth itself. Each work is in dialogue with those surrounding it – and with us, too. They ask us to connect with (and quite literally listen to) the raw materials that comprise everyday objects.
Mixed Metaphors
Rachel Pimm, Stresses and Strains (2023). Photo by James Clarkson.
In the centre of the space is a three-channel video installation, Stresses and Strains. It charts the trajectory of raw minerals from their sedimentary seams deep in the earth, through their extraction and production processes, to quotidian products like scissors and paper. Pimm creates a clever interplay between material, process, and the longer view of history. The work layers field recordings in the natural landscape with footage of industrial production and refinement. On the screen to the left are the etymological roots of words and phrases used to describe some of these processes. Like the breaking open of a rock in search of its mineral ore, one sees how linguistic fissures and gaps have opened up in the attempt to define geological and industrial processes.
Rachel Pimm, dis/locations, 2023. Photo by Lucy Brownson.
Language – its authority and its deficiencies – carries right across the exhibition. It is rendered both textually and sculpturally. In the ground-floor window of Soft Ground, before you even cross the threshold of the exhibition, fragments of text, plants and particulate matter are stuck to the floor. A large steel sheet suspended from the ceiling offers a list of words describing steelwork processes (we are in the Steel City, after all). A steel spike, inspired by similar ones on display at Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet, gores a heap of photocopied archival records that document Sheffield’s participation in the Great Exhibition of 1851. This was an event that, in many ways, represented the zeitgeist of the Industrial Revolution in Britain. Neon sticky notes protruding from this mass of papers also make visible the deep, messy process of historical research that underpins Pimm’s works.
Rachel Pimm, Mixed Metaphors (2023). Photo by James Clarkson.
And then there are things that move beyond language. Perhaps the best thing about Mixed Metaphors is that there is ample room for play and engagement with the materiality of metal, rock and vegetation. The space is dotted with foley islands where visitors can touch and play with objects. They might record the slink of a chainmail glove or draw the rippling surface of a nearby rock pool. In this sense, Pimm invites visitors to add their own layers to the composite that is the exhibition. Each visitor is free to chart their own path through the landscape that the artist has so thoughtfully curated here.
— Written by Lucy Brownson
Exhibition open Wednesdays–Saturdays 12–6pm. Free Entry.
Soft Ground is on the first floor of 37–41 The Moor with lift access and disabled toilet.
Exhibition events
Sounds from the Ground
6 May / 20 May / 10 June, 1–4pm – free, drop in
Playful Saturday afternoon sound-based sessions for ages 5+. Run by artists Rian Treanor (6 May), bones tan jones (20 May) and Freya Dooley (10 June). Find out more.
Mixed Metaphors is part of Emergent Ecologies, a series of artist projects across South Yorkshire exploring what shapes our experiences of place.
- Featured in
- Art picks
Nearby places
Soft Ground, 37–41 The Moor, S1 4PF
Bear Tree Records
Bear Tree Records, Unit 13-16, The Forum, 127 Devonshire Street, S3 7SB
Open Monday-Tuesday 12-5pm, Wednesday 10am-5:30pm, Thursday-Friday 10am-6pm, Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 12:30pm-3:30pm
Millennium Gallery
Millennium Gallery, 48 Arundel Gate, S1 2PP
Open Tuesday–Saturday 10am–5pm, Sunday 11am–5pm. During Sheffield school holidays: Monday–Saturday 10am–5pm, Sunday 11am–5pm. Closed 24 December–4 January.
Bloc Projects
Bloc Projects, 4 Sylvester Street, S1 4RN
Open Wednesday-Saturday 12-6pm during exhibitions
Sheffield Cathedral
Sheffield Cathedral, Church Street, S1 1HA
Open every day from 8am (closing times vary). Coffee shop open Monday-Friday 10am-4pm, Saturday 10am-3pm.
Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet
Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet, Abbeydale Road South, S7 2QW
Open Saturday 10am–4pm, Sunday 11am–4pm. During Sheffield school holidays: Thursday–Saturday 10am–4pm, Sunday 11am–4pm.
Shepherd Wheel Workshop
Shepherd Wheel Workshop, Whiteley Woods, Off Hangingwater Road, S11 2YE
Open Saturday–Sunday and bank holidays 11am–3pm. Closed 25 December–6 January.
Portland Works
Portland Works, Randall Street, S2 4SJ
Open the first Tuesday of the month for tours at 2pm by arrangement, and for events/open days
National Emergency Services Museum
National Emergency Services Museum, Old Police/Fire Station, West Bar, S3 8PT
Open Wednesday-Sunday & bank holidays 10am-4pm.
Weston Park Museum
Weston Park Museum, Western Bank, S10 2TP
Open Tuesday–Friday 10am–4pm, Saturday 10am–5pm, Sunday 11am–5pm. During Sheffield school holidays, open Monday–Saturday 10am–5pm, Sunday 11am–5pm. Closed 24 December – 3 January.
Manor Lodge
Manor Lodge, 389 Manor Lane, S2 1UL
Open Sunday 10:30am–4pm April to September. Plus Monday–Thursday for children’s crafts during Sheffield school holidays, and other times for special events
Kelham Island Museum
Kelham Island Museum, Alma Street, S3 8RY
Open Tuesday-Friday 10am–4pm, Sunday 11am–5pm. During Sheffield school holidays: Monday–Friday 10am–5pm, Sunday 11am–5pm. Closed 24 December–3 January.
Bragazzi's
Bragazzi's, 224-226 Abbeydale Road, S7 1FL
Open Monday-Saturday 9am-5:30pm, Sunday 11am-4pm
Tamper: Sellers Wheel
Tamper: Sellers Wheel, 149 Arundel Street, S1 2NU
Open Monday-Friday 8am-5pm, Friday After Hours 5-10pm, Saturday 9am-6pm, Sunday 9am-4pm
Marmadukes Cafe Deli
Marmadukes Cafe Deli, 22 Norfolk Row, S1 2PA
Open Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 10am-4pm
Kelham Island Books and Music
Kelham Island Books and Music, 284 Shalesmoor, S3 8UL
Open Wednesday–Friday 12–6:30pm, Saturday 10am–5:30pm, Sunday 11am-4:30pm
La Biblioteka
La Biblioteka, Leah's Yard, Cambridge Street, S1 4HP
Open Tuesday–Saturday 10am–5pm, Sunday 11am–4pm
Record Collector
Record Collector, 233-235 Fulwood Road, S10 3BA
Open Monday-Tuesday & Thursday-Saturday 10am-6pm
Tonearm Vinyl
Tonearm Vinyl, 293 South Road, S6 3TA
Open Thursday-Friday 5:30-7pm, Saturday 12-5pm, Sunday 12-4pm
Spinning Discs
Spinning Discs, 55 Chesterfield Road, S8 0RL
Open Wednesday-Friday 12-7:30pm, Saturday 10:30am-5pm, Sunday 11am-3pm
The York
The York, 243-247 Fulwood Road, S10 3BA
Open Sunday-Thursday 11:30am-11:30pm, Friday-Saturday 11:30am-12:20-am
Sharrow Vale Hardware
Sharrow Vale Hardware, 370-372 Sharrow Vale Road, S11 8ZP
Open Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 10am-3pm
Made by Jonty
Made by Jonty, 363 Sharrow Vale Road, S11 8ZG
Open Monday-Friday 8am-5pm, Saturday & bank holiday 9am-5pm, Sunday 9am-3pm
The Mediterranean
The Mediterranean, 271-273 Sharrow Vale Road, S11 8ZF
Open Monday-Saturday 12-2:30pm & 5:30-10:30pm
Starmore Boss
Starmore Boss, 257 Sharrow Vale Road, S11 8ZE
Open Monday-Thursday 11am-6:30pm, Friday 11am-7pm, Saturday 10am-7pm, Sunday (December only) 11am-4pm
Picture House Social
Picture House Social, 383 Abbeydale Road, S7 1FS
Open Monday-Thursday 5pm-12am, Friday 4pm-1am, Saturday 12pm-1am, Sunday 12pm-12am
Proove
Proove, 261 Fulwood Road, S10 3BD
Open Sunday-Wednesday 11:30am-10:30pm, Thursday-Saturday 11:30am-11pm
Patoo
Patoo, 607-609 Ecclesall Road, S11 8PT
Open Sunday-Thursday 12-2:30pm & 6-10:30pm, Friday-Saturday 12-2:30pm & 6-11:30pm
Amici and Bici
Amici and Bici, 220 Abbeydale Road, S7 1FL
Open Monday-Wednesday 8am-7pm, Thursday-Saturday 8am-11pm, Sunday 8am-5pm
The Broadfield
The Broadfield, 452 Abbeydale Road, S7 1FR
Open Monday-Thursday 11:30am-12am, Friday-Saturday 11:30am-1am, Sunday 11:30am-11pm
Jameson's
Jameson's, 334 Abbeydale Road, S7 1FN
Open Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm (till 8pm every other Thursday), Sunday 11am-4pm
Walkley Beer Co.
Walkley Beer Co, 362 South Road, Walkley, S6 3TF
Open Thursday 4-10pm, Friday-Saturday 2-10pm, Sunday 4-10pm
Cocoa Wonderland
Cocoa Wonderland, 462 Ecclesall Road, S11 8PX
Open Monday 12-5pm, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday 10am-5.30pm, Sunday 12-5pm
Turner's Bottle Shop
Turner's Bottle Shop, 298 Abbeydale Road, S7 1FL
Open Tuesday-Thursday 11am-7pm, Friday 11am-8pm, Saturday 10am-7pm, Sunday 11am-4pm
Sheffield Tap
Sheffield Tap, 1b, Sheffield Station, Sheaf Street, S1 2BP
Open Sunday-Thursday 11am-11pm, Friday-Saturday 10am-12am
The Bath Hotel
The Bath Hotel, 66-68 Victoria Street, S3 7QL
Open Monday-Thursday 12-11pm, Friday-Saturday 12pm-12am
Rutland Arms
Rutland Arms, 86 Brown Street, S1 2BS
Open Sunday-Thursday 12-11pm, Friday-Saturday 12pm-12am
The Fat Cat
The Fat Cat, 23 Alma Street, S3 8SA
Open Sunday-Thursday 12-11pm, Friday-Saturday 12pm-12am
Hallamshire House
Hallamshire House, 49 Commonside, S10 1GF
Open Monday-Thursday 4pm-11.30pm, Friday 2pm-12:30am, Saturday 12pm-12:30am, Sunday 12pm-11:30pm
The Brothers Arms
Brothers Arms, 106 Well Road, S8 9TZ
Open Sunday-Thursday 12-11pm, Friday-Saturday 12pm-12am
Yellow Arch Studios
Yellow Arch Studios, 30-36 Burton Road, S3 8BX
Open Monday-Friday 10am-11pm, Saturday 11am-6pm, Sunday 11am-9pm
Abbeydale Miniature Railway
Abbeydale Miniature Railway, Abbeydale Road South, S17 3LB
Open occasional Sundays March-October and Santa Specials in December, 1-5pm
Sheffield Botanical Gardens
Sheffield Botanical Gardens, Clarkehouse Road, S10 2LN
Open weekdays 8am-4pm, weekends & bank holidays 10am-4pm (open till dusk/7:45pm in summer)
Hathersage Swimming Pool
Hathersage Swimming Pool, Oddfellows Road, Hathersage, S32 1DU
Open March-October (heated), November-February (cold water)
Showroom
Showroom, 15 Paternoster Row, S1 2BX
Box office open every day from 11:30am (10am Monday & Thursday). Bar open Monday-Thursday 10am-11pm, Friday 10am-late, Saturday 10:30am-late, Sunday 11am-10:30pm
Folk Train
Folk Train, Sheffield Station, Sheaf Street, S1 2BP
Running the fourth Tuesday of each month on the 19:14 from Sheffield to Edale
Sheffield Central Library
Sheffield Central Library, Surrey Street, S1 1XZ
Open Monday-Tuesday 9:30am-5:30pm, Wednesday 1-8pm, Thursday-Friday 9:30am-5:30pm, Saturday 10am-4pm
David Mellor Design Museum
David Mellor Design Museum, The Round Building, Leadmill, Hathersage, S32 1BA
Open Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 11am-5pm (Round Building guided tours Saturday & Sunday 3pm)
Alfred Denny Museum
Alfred Denny Museum, Alfred Denny Building, Western Bank, S10 2TN
Open on occasional Saturdays, tours at 10am, 11am, 12pm
Renishaw Hall
Renishaw Hall, Renishaw Park, S21 3WB
Open Wednesday-Sunday (March-October) / Friday-Sunday (October-November) 10:30am-4:30pm
Hagglers Corner
Hagglers Corner, 586 Queens Road, S2 4DU
Bhaji Shop open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, bar open Thursday 4-11pm, Friday 4pm-2am, Saturday 2pm-2am
The Tramshed
The Tramshed, 51 Chesterfield Road, S8 0RL
Open Tuesday-Thursday 4-11pm, Friday-Saturday 4pm-midnight, Sunday 4-11pm
CollardManson
CollardManson, 125 Devonshire Street, S3 7SB
Open Monday-Friday 11am-5:30pm, Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 12:30pm-4:30pm
Public
Public, 23-55 Surrey Street, S1 2LG
Open Monday-Friday 4pm-1am, Saturday 12pm-1am, Sunday 12pm-1am
The Gardeners Rest
The Gardeners Rest, 105 Neepsend Lane, S3 8AT
Open Monday-Thursday 3-11pm, Friday-Saturday 12pm-12am, Sunday 12-11pm
The Riverside
The Riverside, 1 Mowbray Street, S3 8EN
Open Sunday-Thursday 11:30am-11:30pm, Friday-Saturday 11:30am-1am
The Wellington
The Wellington, 1 Henry Street, S3 7EQ
Open Monday-Thursday 3-11pm, Friday-Saturday 12pm-12am, Sunday 12-11pm
The Red Deer
The Red Deer, 18 Pitt Street, S1 4DD
Open Monday-Thursday 12pm-12am, Friday-Saturday 12pm-1am, Sunday 12-11pm
Fagan's
Fagan's, 69 Broad Lane, S1 4BS
Open Monday-Saturday 12-11:30pm, Sunday 12-3:30pm & 7-11:30pm
Shakespeare's
Shakespeare's, 146-148 Gibraltar Street, S3 8UA
Open Sunday-Thursday 12pm-12am, Friday-Saturday 12pm-1am
Old Post Hall
Old Post Hall, Sheffield Hallam University, Fitzalan Square, S1 2AY
Open during exhibitions, Monday–Saturday 10am–4pm
Lokanta
Lokanta, 478-480 Glossop Road, S10 2QA
Open Tuesday-Thursday 5-10:30pm, Friday-Saturday 5-11:30pm, Sunday 12-9:30pm
Steel City Ghost Tours
Steel City Ghost Tours, Town Hall, Pinstone Street, S1 2HH
Monday, Wednesday & Thursday 7:30pm
Nether Edge Pizza Company
Nether Edge Pizza Company, 92 Burton Road, S3 8DA
Pizzeria open Thursday-Friday 5-10pm, Saturday 12-10pm / mobile oven Wednesday at Norfolk Arms, Thursday at The Horse and Jockey, Friday at The Greystones
Western Bank Library
Western Bank Library, Western Bank, S3 7NA
Public gallery open Monday-Thursday 9am-6pm, Friday 10am-6pm, Saturday 12-6pm during exhibitions
Lucky Fox
Lucky Fox, 72 Division Street, S1 4GF
Open Monday-Thursday 11am–6pm, Friday 10am–8pm, Saturday 10am–8pm, Sunday 11am–4pm
Union St
Union St, 18-20 Union Street, S1 2JR
Open Monday-Friday 8am-4pm, Saturday 10am-4pm, and for events
Site Gallery
Site Gallery, 1-5 Brown Street, S1 2BS
Open Tuesday-Saturday 11am-6pm (late opening on Thursdays till 8pm), Sunday 11am-4pm
Chapel Decorative Interiors
Chapel Decorative Interiors, 99 Broadfield Road, S8 0XH
Open Monday-Wednesday by appointment, Thursday-Saturday 10am-4:30pm, Sunday 11am-4pm
Sheffield Antiques Centre
Sheffield Antiques Centre, 99 Broadfield Road, S8 0XH
Open Monday–Tuesday and Friday–Saturday 10am–4:30pm. Wednesday–Thursday by appointment only. Sunday and bank holidays 11am–4:30pm.
The Dram Shop
The Dram Shop, 21 Commonside, S10 1GA
Open Monday-Thursday 11am-10pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-10:30pm, Sunday 12-9pm
Birdhouse Tea Bar & Kitchen
Birdhouse Tea Bar & Kitchen, Alsop Fields, Sidney Street, S1 4RG
Open every day 8am-10pm
Sheaf View
Sheaf View, 25 Gleadless Road, S2 3AA
Open Sunday-Thursday 11:30am-11:30pm, Friday-Saturday 11:30am-12:30am
The White Lion
The White Lion, 615 London Road, S2 4HT
Open Monday 4-11:30pm, Tuesday-Thursday 4pm-12am, Friday 4pm-1am, Saturday 12pm-1am, Sunday 2-11:30pm
The Misses Vickers
Weston Park Museum, Western Bank, S10 2TP
Museum open Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 11am-4pm
Remo's
Remo's, 259 Fulwood Road, Broomhill, S10 3BD
Open Tuesday-Friday 8am-5pm, Saturday 9:30am-5pm, Sunday 10am-4pm
The Lescar
The Lescar, 303 Sharrow Vale Road, S11 8ZF
Open Sunday-Thursday 12pm-12am, Friday 12pm-1am, Saturday 10am-1am
The Treehouse Board Game Cafe
The Treehouse Board Game Cafe, 41 Boston Street, S2 4QF
Open Tuesday-Friday 12–11pm, Saturday 10am-11pm, Sunday 10am-10pm
Porter Book Shop
Porter Book Shop, 227 Sharrow Vale Road, S11 8ZE
Open Tuesday–Saturday 10am–5pm (except Thursday: open 1:30–5pm)
Bungalows and Bears
Central Fire Station, 50 Division Street, S1 4GF
Open Monday-Thursday 12pm-12am, Friday 12pm-1:30am, Saturday 11am-1:30am, Sunday
11am-12am
S1 Artspace
S1 Artspace, 1 Norwich Street, Park Hill, S2 5PN
Open Wednesday-Saturday 12-5pm during exhibitions
Our Cow Molly
Cliffe House Farm, Hill Top Road, Dungworth, S6 6GW
Open Wednesday & Friday-Sunday 11am–5:30pm. Open every day in school summer holidays
Ambulo
Ambulo, Millennium Gallery, 48 Arundel Gate, S1 2PP
Open Monday-Thursday 9am-9pm, Friday-Saturday 9am-10pm, Sunday 9am-5pm
Sidney & Matilda
Sidney & Matilda, Rivelin Works, 46 Sidney Street, S1 4HR
Opening times vary – check their website. Open late Friday and Saturday.
Cutlery Works
Cutlery Works, 73-101 Neepsend Lane, S3 8AT
Open Wednesday-Thursday 9am-11pm, Friday-Saturday 9am-1am, Sunday 9am-10pm
National Videogame Museum
National Videogame Museum, Castle House, Angel Street, S3 8LN
Open term times: Thursday–Friday 1-4pm, Saturday–Sunday 10am–1pm and 2–5pm.
Open school holidays: every day 10am–1pm and 2–5pm
Jojo's General Store
Jojo's General Store, 553 Ecclesall Road, S11 8PR
Open Monday-Saturday 11am-6pm
St Luke's Vintage Shop
St Luke's Vintage Shop, 3 Crookes Road, S10 5BA
Open Monday-Saturday 9:30am-4:30pm
Stoneface Creative
Stoneface Creative, Storrs Lane, S6 6GY
Open days and events vary – check website
Vulgar
Vulgar, Unit 2, The Forum, 127-129 Devonshire Street, S3 7SB
Open Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 11am-4pm
Fronteer Gallery
Fronteer Gallery, Unit 4, Orchard Square, S1 2FB
Open during exhibitions Tuesday–Thursday 11am–4pm, and Saturday 2–5pm
GLOAM Gallery
GLOAM Gallery, 160 Arundel Street, S1 4RE
Open during exhibitions Saturdays 12–4pm and by appointment.
Grenoside Reading Room
Grenoside Reading Room, 42A School Lane, Grenoside, S35 8QU
Open Mondays 8:45am–2pm and at other times for groups and events
Gut Level
Gut Level, 32–34 Chapel Walk, S1 2PD
Open for co-working Wednesday–Friday day times. Bar open Thursday–Sunday evenings. Open at other times for events
Forgotten Fiction
Forgotten Fiction, All Good Stuff, Butcher Works, Arundel Street, S1 2NS
Open Monday–Saturday 11am–4pm.
Rhyme and Reason
Rhyme and Reason, 681 Ecclesall Road, S11 8TG
Open Monday–Saturday 9am–5pm, Sunday 11am–3pm
Next Chapter Books
Next Chapter Books, 7 Rustlings Road, S11 7AA
Open Wednesday–Saturday 10:30am–5pm
Yorkshire Artspace: Exchange Place Studios
Exchange Place Studios, Exchange Street, S2 5TR
Open to public during exhibitions – check website
Alder
Alder, Unit 111–112 JC Albyn, Percy Street, Neepsend, S3 8BT
Open Tuesday–Thursday 4–11pm, Friday 2pm–12am, Saturday 12pm–12am, Sunday 2–8pm
You might also like...
Kid Acne
If you've spent a decent amount of time in Sheffield, chances are you'll have come across, and come to love, the work of graffiti artist-musician-printmaker Kid Acne in one form or another.
East, West, Old, New: Artist Eelyn Lee in Conversation with Science Fiction Writer Yen Ooi
Wed. 27 November 2024
Graves Gallery
Join artist Eelyn Lee and writer-researcher Dr Yen Oi for an illustrated discussion about their ongoing collaboration. Drawing on migratory energies and ancestral stories, shaped by East and Southeast Asian (ESEA) diasporic experiences.
Graves Gallery
The Graves feels like a bit of a secret, tucked away above the Central Library. But with pieces by Bridget Riley, Marc Quinn, J.M.W. Turner, Grayson Perry and Sam Taylor-Wood, and brilliant temporary exhibitions, it's only right we let you in on it.
Portraiture and the Human Figure
Thu. 16 March 2023 — Sun. 8 December 2024
Graves Gallery
“A celebration of being, making and looking.” Read our writer Wemmy's review of this inspiring exhibition full of love letters to bodies.