We caught up with artist in residence Linda Granfors, to learn more about her first impressions whilst exploring Leeds
It’s always interesting to see Leeds through the eyes of an outsider, especially an artist like Linda Granfors, an artist living and working in Helsinki. After just a few days in residency, Linda had plenty to say about the city and the creative environment she was entering.
Linda spoke about the energy of the city – the constant hum of traffic, sirens, and people. It was clear that Leeds, with all its noise and movement, felt vibrant and alive. Coming from Helsinki, where she described things as quieter and more structured, this felt like a shift that was both exciting and possibly a little overwhelming. Despite the initial adjustment I could already see that this environment was sparking something creative for her.
Her perception of how accessible art seems here struck me. She talked about the Henry Moore Institute and other spaces that offer free entry and contrasted this with Helsinki, where art can feel exclusive – requiring a specific aesthetic and a fee to engage with it. Linda found the openness in Leeds refreshing – a breath of fresh air compared to the more formal approach she’s used to. This is a perspective that’s easy to overlook when familiar with the city, but hearing her say it made me reconsider our spaces here. Maybe, in our local conversations about what’s been lost, we forget that Leeds still offers something of value.
As Linda shared her thoughts, I couldn’t help but think about our challenges in Leeds. I think the conversation around creative spaces has been pessimistic lately. We’ve seen artists lose their studios to redevelopments, pushing out the affordable, unorthodox, and vital spaces that define the city’s creative fabric. It’s hard not to feel like things are slipping away. But hearing Linda’s take reminded me there’s still something worth celebrating – even amidst the challenges. Maybe a view from outside can help us see what we have left.
Linda’s first day in Leeds was full of small discoveries. From a green dress in a second-hand shop that matched the studio’s walls to her fascination with Leeds’ older, more derelict buildings. She’s coming from a city where new, polished developments have mostly replaced these spaces. Here in Leeds, she felt there were still corners of the city waiting to be explored, spaces where creativity could thrive. It was a reminder that, despite the pressures on artists’ spaces, Leeds hasn’t completely lost that edge.
I found her approach to the residency refreshing – she wasn’t rushing to define a project or a direction. Instead, she was happy to explore, to see where the city took her. We talked about potential collaborations with local artists like Seki, and she was curious about connecting with groups like the Leeds Refugee Forum, where diverse communities come together to create folk art. Linda seemed drawn to the idea of blending her artistic practice with the rich, multicultural landscape of Leeds – something that’s always been one of the city’s strengths.
Of course, there are practicalities to consider, too. Linda was keen to work with materials like clay, perhaps even leaving small objects around the city as part of an experiment. We’ve got clay on hand, and I’m glad we can support her in these quiet interventions. It’s a nice contrast to the pressure of creating big, statement projects – and it’s a reminder that sometimes the smallest actions can have the most impact.
As I reflect on this conversation, I’m reminded that we, as locals, may need to see Leeds more often through eyes like Linda’s. Yes, we’re facing the loss of spaces and a tightening of opportunities, but there’s still something vital and alive here – something worth holding on to. Her fresh perspective is a needed counterbalance to the pessimism we’ve been feeling. It’s a reminder that Leeds, even now, offers real opportunities for artists to explore and grow. Perhaps, despite everything, we’ve still got a good thing going.
Written by Jon Wakeman | images © Linda Granfors
The residency is a collaboration between the Finnish Artists Studio Foundation and the Helsinki International Artist Programme, and it is designed to foster cross-cultural artistic exchange between Great Britain and Finland.
