Leeds Art Gallery’s landmark exhibition puts city’s artists in the frame

Artists in Leeds could get the chance to see their work displayed in one of the country’s most prestigious galleries as part of a landmark exhibition.

For the first time in more than a decade, Leeds Art Gallery is calling on the city’s painters, sculptors, photographers, moving image artists, and artists working in all media, to put their creations forward to be considered for the Leeds Artists’ Show.

Opening next February, during the much-anticipated LEEDS 2023 Year of Culture, the ambitious showcase will bring together work by artists from across the city, celebrating the talent and diversity of the local arts scene and providing a platform to explore some of the key themes and concerns of artists working in Leeds today.

Submissions for the exhibition are now open and will be assessed by a prestigious panel of experts including curator and writer Derek Horton, writer and art critic Kadish Morris and visual artist Hardeep Pandhal, who are all connected to Leeds.

They will be tasked with whittling down the entries alongside performance artist and sculptor Isabelle Marklew who is a member of Leeds Art Gallery’s Youth Collective based in Leeds, as well as the gallery’s principal keeper Jane Bhoyroo and exhibitions curator Holly Grange.

Artworks selected by the panel will then be curated and displayed in next year’s high-profile show at the gallery, which is also home to artwork by some of the region’s most celebrated modern and historic artists.

Jane Bhoyroo, principal keeper of Leeds Art Gallery said:  “The gallery has a strong history of exhibiting artwork by living artists, and since the early 1900s that is how much of the city’s art collection has developed.

“We look forward to continuing our support of artists from across Leeds in next year’s Leeds Artists' Show and are excited to see the breadth of artistic talent that this great city has to offer.”

The Leeds Artists’ Show will see successful entrants follow in the footsteps of other outstanding Leeds-based artists, including Jill McKnight and James Thompson, whose work has recently been exhibited at the gallery.

Recent acquisitions into the gallery’s collection have also reflected its commitment to celebrating and presenting the work of local artists, including famous Leeds-based painter John Atkinson Grimshaw’s ‘Reflections on the Aire’ from 1879 and Leeds based artist Rosie Vohra’s ‘Demons’ from 2020, with both works currently on display.

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s executive member for economy, culture and education, said: “Our city is filled with an incredibly talented and diverse spectrum of artists creating an astonishing and superb breadth of work and capturing the spirit, creativity and dynamism of Leeds.

“The chance to have their work displayed in the auspicious surrounding of Leeds Art Gallery is a unique opportunity for both those talented artists and for visitors who will be able to see first-hand the skill and cultural innovation in our communities.”

To find out more head to Leeds Art Gallery’s website to apply using the online form. Submissions to be received by 11pm on Sunday 16 October 2022. Free to enter. Artists applying must be 18 or over.

Please follow this link for further information and guidelines on how to apply to the Leeds Artists Show Leeds Artists Show - Leeds Museums & Galleries

For more information on Leeds Art Gallery, visit: https://museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk/leeds-art-gallery

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