Mesmerising artwork retraces history of beloved Leeds invention

Taking place in Leeds City Museum’s Brodrick Hall, the installation is inspired by the classic toy, bringing its distinctive patterns off the page and reimagining them as an immersive digital animation.

With Lesley’s original drawings brought to life and accompanied by a compelling, specially composed soundscape by James Bagshaw, the piece will take visitors on a six-minute journey through a series of colourful Spirograph patterns which will pulse, rotate and burst outwards in a dynamic and vibrant display.

Lesley said: “I’ve been working with Spirograph for over a decade, using a simple kit to create large-scale, multicoloured drawings. By repeating the same spirograph motif again and again, the patterns evolve into mandala-like forms that feel greater than the sum of their parts.

“Many people will remember those plastic rings and gears neatly arranged in a box, the scratch of the biro and the thrill as intricate circular patterns appeared almost by magic.”

Spirograph Reimagined will be part of a huge programme of illuminated artworks which will take over some of the city’s most recognisable buildings and locations on October 22 and 23.

With the theme of Landmarks, this year’s Light Night Leeds explores historic civic buildings, modern architecture and public spaces while also calling on visitors to contemplate the places which mean something special to them.

Lesley added: “It feels especially meaningful to be unveiling Spirograph Reimagined here in Leeds because the Spirograph itself was invented in the city by engineer Denys Fisher. It first went on sale in Schofields department store in 1965, the very year I was born. So this project is a double celebration of sixty years.”

“It’s a real privilege to be part of Light Night Leeds, especially in the year that marks Spirograph’s 60th anniversary. Denys Fisher was known as a charismatic and enthusiastic figure, and I’d like to think he would be just as proud and excited about this project as we are.”

Since it began in 2005, Light Night Leeds has become more popular each year, with a record 214,000 people estimated to have attended in 2024.

Last year’s event also gave a huge boost to the local economy, generating an estimated £5.46m, a 58 per cent increase on the previous year.

Other key pieces this year will include a large scale projection on the face of the iconic Queens Hotel celebrating 200 years of the modern railway and a new commission at Leeds Civic Hall co-produced by the British Library entitled, Portals: The Machine of Worlds which invites visitors to explore universes of science fiction, illusion and discovery.

The festival is organised and supported by Leeds City Council and funded by Arts Council England National Lottery Project Grant funding and sponsors from the city’s business community.

Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, said: “Light Night celebrates the power of culture, creativity and imagination and gives tens of thousands of people each year the chance to explore Leeds in a way they never have before.

“It’s fitting that an event which has played its own distinct part in the story of Leeds is also paying tribute to some of the ingenious individuals who have helped put Leeds on the map and who have in turn inspired talented artists today to create some truly magical pieces.”

Light Night Leeds 2025 takes place across the city on October 22 and 23, 2025 from 6pm to 10pm.

Visit www.lightnightleeds.co.uk and follow Light Night Leeds on social media for more information.

ENDS