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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Event
Walk, Talk, Make! with Yaku Stapleton
Join Yaku Stapleton on a trip to investigate the rich history of New Briggate in a way you haven’t before.
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Event
Take a Walk with Stan Graham
Leeds local Stan Graham shares a lifetime of adventures and anecdotes about New Briggate.
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Event
Special Preview: Colour Folds and Other Things by Andrea Thoma
Join artist and researcher Andrea Thoma for a special preview of her upcoming exhibition Colour Folds and Other Things: the Painted, Photographed and Filmed.
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Artists
Colour Folds and Other Things: A Conversation with Andrea Thoma & Kevin Laycock
Join Andrea Thoma for the closing night of her exhibition Colour Folds and Other Things: the Painting, Photographed and Filmed, where she will be discussing abstraction in contemporary painting with artist, musician and lecturer Kevin Laycock.
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Opportunities
The Climate Residency Call Out
Apply now! East Street Arts are looking for an early careers artist to undertake research as part of The Climate Residency.
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Event
My Environment Summer School 2022
My Environment Summer School 2022