Announcing the ‘East Leeds Project’, part of Leeds’ bid to be European Capital of Culture in 2023

I’m delighted to announce that the East Leeds Project [ELP] is part of the Bid Book which formally launches the city’s ambition to secure the title of European Capital of Culture in 2023. The Bid Book, launched today, will be given a good send-off by the city at a celebration on 27 October, the final dateContinue reading “Announcing the ‘East Leeds Project’, part of Leeds’ bid to be European Capital of Culture in 2023”

Peter Mitchell – Planet Yorkshire

The first survey show of work by Leeds-based photographer Peter Mitchell will take place at Impressions Gallery in Bradford this autumn, co-curated by me and the gallery’s Director Anne McNeill. Peter Mitchell: Planet Yorkshire will run from 16 September to 3 December. Although born in Salford, Peter has become synonymous with Leeds, the city whereContinue reading “Peter Mitchell – Planet Yorkshire”

Art and Industry Part 1 – Play / Pause

Art and Industry Part 1: Play / Pause, Middlesbrough, Saturday 4 June 2016 I grew up on industrial Teesside, an area possibly much-maligned in the nation’s thinking (where it imagines anything at all), but for which I retain a lot of affection. During my 1970s childhood, all of my schoolmates’ Dads worked either at ICIContinue reading “Art and Industry Part 1 – Play / Pause”

‘The North – a nebulously distinct place…’

Culture Forum North symposium, Howard Assembly Rooms, 24 May The quote above is taken from the symposium’s opening remarks by Alistair Hudson, Director of Middlesbrough’s mima and CFN’s Chair, at its first symposium in Leeds on Tuesday. A grand gathering of folk from the HE and arts/culture sectors came together to debate the virtues andContinue reading “‘The North – a nebulously distinct place…’”

Artists Studio provision – comings and goings

Last week I woke up to the shock news that the building occupied by Rogue Studios in central Manchester for the past 15 years, Crusader Mill near to Piccadilly station, has been sold to developers Capital and Centric. It’s game over and all 100 artists based there will have to leave. This is a seriousContinue reading “Artists Studio provision – comings and goings”

Thoughts on Frieze Art Fair 2015

What can you say about Frieze? I was there on Friday (the Art Fair as opposed to Frieze Masters), my first visit in four years I think, and not much seemed to have changed. Entering through a massive and rather ominous-looking black portal akin to the gateway to Mordor, the giant marquee itself did seemContinue reading “Thoughts on Frieze Art Fair 2015”

British Art Show 8 in Leeds

Opening week round-up On social media I’ve adopted the hashtag #ArtMarathon for the ‘feast’ of visual arts activity across Leeds and beyond triggered by the opening this past week of British Art Show 8 at Leeds Art Gallery. It’s the visual arts equivalent of three buses coming along at once. Here are my highlights soContinue reading “British Art Show 8 in Leeds”

The Feast Wagon at The Tetley

The Feast Wagon features Lubaina Himid & Susan Walsh, Simeon Barclay and Delaine Le Bas 7 October 2015 – 10 January 2016 I’m incredibly proud that this visually rich and rewarding exhibition is one of the last projects I co-curated at The Tetley, alongside Zoë Sawyer and Leeds-based researcher Irfan Shah. The project began in conversation withContinue reading “The Feast Wagon at The Tetley”

Urgent appeal on behalf of Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun, Leeds

On Wednesday I attended the opening of Set The Controls’ latest exhibition, Pedestrian Confetti, a solo show by Glasgow-based artist Toby Christian. It’s a great example of how this place invites artists from outside Leeds to show here for the first time and to play with reasonably large-scale, experimental installations. But there’s a BIG problem…Continue reading “Urgent appeal on behalf of Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun, Leeds”