The project responded to finds from an archaeological dig that took place underneath what is now Victoria Gate shopping centre in Leeds and featured art inspired by some of the artifacts discovered, some of which were also on show. This residency produced vibrant art from a newly uncovered past.
Through his practice of print and letterpress David had been exploring how to use the archaeological finds from the survey as tools for mark making, experimenting with various simple techniques. Could ink be applied to the find? Does it have detritus that can be mixed with ink? What shadows do they cast? Can a rubbing be taken from its surface? All this was answered in his work.
With the finds no longer serving the purpose they were created for (for example, a bottle is now several shards of brightly coloured glass and can’t be a bottle again) David abstracted the objects via mark-making, creating repeated patterns and textures on long scrolls often mirroring the size and shape of the trenches dug during the archaeological survey.
David worked closely with the team from West Yorkshire Archaeological Services throughout the project and Collaboratively they ran workshops with Shakespeare Primary School and Burmantofts Senior Action.
The project was a collaboration between East Street Arts and West Yorkshire Archaeological Services, supported by Victoria Leeds.
Other things!
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Artists
I'm Gonna Find You White Rabbit! by Silvia Liebig
Silvia Liebig's artist book I'm Gonna Find You White Rabbit!: Being Beeston Projekt 2019-2023 is now available to buy.
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Event
Reproductive Futures: Creative Workshop
Join artist Herfa Thompson and academic Zoe Tongue to explore your reproductive health experiences, responding to the duo's Reproductive Futures exhibition, in this visual art workshop.
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News
Welcome to our new trustees
We’re thrilled to welcome two new trustees to our Board following a recent round of open recruitment.
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News
Artist selected for Taipei artist residency
Leeds-based artist James Thompson has been selected for a sought-after six-week residency at Treasure Hill Artist Village in Taiwan, from August to September 2024.
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Commission
Making Public Art - a new interview series
We worked with some wonderful artists throughout 2023 to bring large-scale mural pieces to various locations across Leeds. We’ve been catching up with the artists, in a new series that looks at working with communities, sustainability, and their working process in creating public art.
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Artist support
No Going Back: exploring the archives
Here are some of our favourite images from last month's No Going Back exhibition, for anyone who may have missed it.