Leeds, a vibrant city in the UK, is not just known for its rich history and dynamic culture but also its flourishing art scene. The city is home to a diverse set of artists, each bringing their unique perspective and style to the canvas of Leeds’ art landscape. Here, we explore the top 10 artists significantly contributing to the city’s artistic identity.
1. Eleanor Dunn
Eleanor Dunn is a Leeds-based artist who has captivated audiences with her unique and evocative artworks. Having graduated in June 2021 with a degree in Fine Art from the University of Leeds, Dunn has developed a distinctive style, primarily focusing on the medium of graphite pencil. Her expertise shines through in her detailed and expressive portraits, often imbued with sexual and raw undertones.
Dunn’s work delves into the universal yet complex themes of sex and human connection. Through her art, she explores the curious peculiarities of these themes, aiming to engage and connect with her audience on a deeper level. Her skill in capturing human emotion and intimacy makes her work deeply resonate, encouraging viewers to reflect on personal connections and the human experience.
2. Edan ‘Real State’
Edan, aka Real State, is prominent in Leeds’ street art scene. He is part of the artist collective Two Times, co-founded with Benjamin Craven. They are celebrated for their striking mural in tribute to the legendary rapper MF Doom following his passing in 2020. This artwork melds MF Doom’s iconic image with “Lickupon” lyrics, showcasing the collective’s skill in creating engaging visual elements
Their work enriches Leeds’ urban landscape, blending artistic skill with cultural tributes, resonating within the community and beyond.
3. Priya Kn
Priya Kn is an artist who blends various styles and mediums to craft captivating pieces. Her canvases range from small to large and feature acrylics, oils, watercolours, pastels, ink, and even unique materials like pins. With a lifelong dedication to her craft, Priya draws inspiration from her upbringing in a profoundly artistic and creative family.
4. Andrew Allsop
Andrew Allsop is an artist whose work is a fascinating exploration of colour, form, and the abstract interplay between the two. Drawing inspiration from the natural world, Allsop’s pieces often reflect nature’s intricate patterns, textures, and hues, reimagined through a modern, abstract lens. His bold, vibrant colours and fluid shapes invite viewers into a visual dialogue, encouraging them to interpret and connect with his art personally.
Allsop’s technique involves layering and manipulating paints to achieve depth and movement, creating dynamic compositions that pulse with life and energy. Allsop’s innovative and boundary-pushing work makes his art a compelling addition to any collection.
5. Janine Jacques
Janine Jacques is an illustrious felt artist nestled between the vibrant cities of Leeds and York. Drawing inspiration from her countless sojourns into the countryside, Janine’s work is a tribute to the sensory tapestry of the outdoors. The sights, sounds, and scents fuse into her creations, with wool as her canvas and conduit for texture, depth, and emotion. This choice of medium reflects Janine’s commitment to sustainability.
Janine’s creative process is a meticulous journey from conception to fruition. It begins with a mood board derived from photographs and memories of landscapes, followed by a charcoal sketch and an oil pastel painting to lay the groundwork for the felt art. Her Fine Arts degree and expertise breathe life into each piece through wet felting, needle felting, and delicate hand-sewn embroidery, culminating in artworks as intricate as they are evocative.
Janine’s felt landscapes celebrate the interplay between painting and felt-making, a homage to the ancient craft of felting infused with contemporary artistic vision.
With her felt art featured in art gallery shops across the UK and embraced by private collectors globally, Janine Jacques continues to share her love for nature and felt art with the world, one landscape at a time.
6. Chris Eastham
In her unique approach, Chris Eastham meticulously blends the precision of digital planning with the tactile richness of oil paints. This allows her to intricately map out her concepts in a virtual space before bringing them to life with the vibrant textures and depth that only traditional oils can provide. Her technique is very comprehensive, combining the calculated exactness of digital art with the fluid spontaneity of painting, crafting modern and captivating visuals.
7. Charlotte Hall
Charlotte Hall, a mixed media artist from Leeds, Yorkshire, creates vibrant artworks using watercolour, acrylic, and oil paints. Her work, deeply influenced by local scenery and the vivid colours of nature, embodies happiness and joy. Charlotte’s self-taught journey in art has involved experimenting with various media and colour palettes, leading to her unique style.
8. Janice Chi
Janice Chi is an illustrator based in Leeds. Her art focuses on visual storytelling, influenced by her travels, encounters, and emotions. Janice’s illustrations serve as love letters or thank-you notes to every location and individual she’s had the opportunity to share a moment with.
Her art blends emotional depth with visual intricacy – capturing feelings and details that merit lasting remembrance. Janice endeavours to convey the beauty and significance of life’s fleeting moments through her art.
9. Aysha Khalid Abdul
Delving into themes of emotion, pain, and intuition, Aysha Khalid, a Bahraini artist studying Fine Art at Leeds Beckett University, expresses herself through a variety of abstract techniques.
From swift mark-making to deliberate splattering, each stroke aims to convey a sense of unease and discomfort, echoing Aysha’s own experience with rheumatic hand stiffness and pain. Abstract art becomes her powerful tool for articulating the challenges of chronic pain, offering a profound means of expression beyond words.
10. Tim Gomersall
In January 2020, Tim Gomersall was sidelined by a ruptured Achilles tendon, leading him to find solace in drawing during his recovery. Embracing this unexpected turn, Tim, even in his late 30s, relentlessly pursued his newfound love for art, proving that transformative moments can indeed kindle remarkable journeys of self-discovery and expression.
Drawing inspiration from his surroundings, Tim’s artistic perspective leans towards urban sketching and illustration. His work reflects the vibrancy and dynamism of urban life, infused with a playful spirit and a touch of rebellion. Through his sketches, Tim aims to capture the essence of his environment, inviting viewers to see the world through his unique lens.
Conclusion
Leeds continues to be a nurturing ground for talented artists, with its vibrant cultural institutions and supportive artist-led spaces. The city’s art scene is dynamic and ever-evolving, reflecting the diverse voices and talents that call Leeds home. These artists, with their varied backgrounds and artistic styles, have made Leeds a significant centre for art in the UK.
