Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Hisham’s Palace
Cresson Sanatorium and Prison
Leo The Lion
Deception Pass Bridge
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The sign declares this the number-one gumbo shop in town.
Gumbo Hut Shioya
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
The cute capybara.
Animal Takeover: Brace Yourself for Adorable Hordes
The Codex Gigas (the Devil’s Bible) open to the portrait of the devil.
Codex Gigas: Who Drew the Devil in This Massive Medieval Bible?
USDA and Washington State agriculture officials tagged this Asian giant hornet. Sept. 10, 2021.
What Ever Happened to the Murder Hornets?
The exterior of the Hall of Records.
Atlas Obscura Mailbag: Urban Exploration, Illegal Carvings, and Repeat Vacations

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United Kingdom England Leeds 'Out of the Earth'
AO Edited

'Out of the Earth'

Since 1995, two red-painted metal figures have guarded the entrance to the Northern Ballet.

Leeds, England

Added By
Jim F
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
‘Out of the Earth’   Jim F / Atlas Obscura User
‘Out of the Earth’   Jim F / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  rbenn250 / Atlas Obscura User
‘Out of the Earth’   Jim F / Atlas Obscura User
‘Out of the Earth’   Jim F / Atlas Obscura User
‘Out of the Earth’   Jim F / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

As visitors to Leeds reach the edges of the city center there’s a council site at Quarry Hill, which also houses the Northern Ballet, one of the country's foremost theatre companies. 

Guarding the entrance to the site are two metal-painted figures, partially emerging from two huge columns of Woodkirk Yorkstone that tower above as visitors approach.

London artist Ray Smith created the two sculptures in 1995 after receiving a commission from Leeds City Council. 

Related Tags

Sculptures Art Design

Know Before You Go

The sculptures are situated a short walk from the bus station and can be found at the entrance to the Quarry Hill Site. As mentioned, the two installations are in front of Northern Ballet, which is on St. Cecilia's Street, just of York Street. There is limited parking and some street parking within a short distance. 

Community Contributors

Added By

Jim F

Edited By

SEANETTA, rbenn250

  • SEANETTA
  • rbenn250

Published

May 21, 2021

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
'Out of the Earth'
Quarry Hill
Northern Ballet
Leeds, England, LS2 7PA
United Kingdom
53.797049, -1.532282
Get Directions

Nearby Places

'Cornucopia'

Leeds, England

miles away

Horned Helmet of Henry VIII

Leeds, England

miles away

Royal Armouries Museum

Leeds, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Leeds

Leeds

England

Places 11
Stories 1

Nearby Places

'Cornucopia'

Leeds, England

miles away

Horned Helmet of Henry VIII

Leeds, England

miles away

Royal Armouries Museum

Leeds, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Leeds

Leeds

England

Places 11
Stories 1

Related Places

  • ‘Minor Triumph’

    Seoul, South Korea

    ‘Minor Triumph’

    Children’s timeless joy is remembered in the fast-developing Myeongdong district of Seoul.

  • 'Buttbrunnen'

    Berlin, Germany

    'Buttbrunnen'

    Largely overlooked, this little fountain on Museum Island is a whimsical tribute to a Prussian king nicknamed the “Fatty Flounder.”

  • Stone Gargoyle Chair

    Durham, England

    Stone Gargoyle Chair

    An unusual stone chair can be found on the banks of the River Wear, not far from Durham Cathedral.

  • ‘Phoenix and the Four Elements’

    Bristol, England

    'Phoenix and the Four Elements'

    An alchemical monument that represents "Earth, Air, Fire, and Water."

  • The Public Purse

    Melbourne, Australia

    'The Public Purse'

    This giant, granite purse is one of Melbourne's most unique and distinctive pieces of public art.

  • ‘The Gorbals Boys’

    Glasgow, Scotland

    'The Gorbals Boys'

    A sculpture that commemorates an iconic photo of urban Scotland's past.

  • ‘Molecule Men’

    Berlin, Germany

    'Molecule Man'

    This monumental work of art symbolizes the coming together of a previously divided city.

  • The Alauna Aura at night

    Maryport, England

    'Alauna Aura'

    This sculpture depicting the history of Maryport turns into a light show at night.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.