East Street Arts Open Studios 11th-12th July
July 9, 2015
[Images courtesy of East Street Arts]
Open studios are a great way to interact with artists and their works, and the Leeds based gallery East Street Arts are opening their doors from the 11th – 12th of July. The pioneering organisation is dedicated to contemporary art, with a particular emphasis on supporting and nurturing emerging artists and collectives – making their open studios event perfect for those interested in really viewing the creative process. The relaxed, informal nature of the annual open studios means that you can chat with the artists who work there, as well as discover more about the process of creating visual and digital art, photography, film, sculpture and painting. Karen Watson, Co-Founder and Artistic Director of East Street Arts, articulates the allure of the open studio: “Once inside there is a kind of magic that happens and you’re suddenly in the middle of a very rich and, I feel, privileged experience. Every studio is different because every artist is different. The set up, interior and approach to individual spaces is never the same.” After you’ve seen how the art is made and developed, there’s a chance to buy your favourite pieces from both new and established artists.
Some of the artists taking part include:
Ian Kirkpatrick – A contemporary artist and graphic designer currently working on a project with Leeds Art Gallery, as well as a sculpture trail due to come to Leeds later in the year. Ian will be showing a couple of the maquette’s of the sculptures which you’ll be able to see around Leeds later in the year.
‘My work explores the sculptural and communicative potential of commercial packaging design.
I’m interested in the ways that everyday disposable products can be used to express society’s myths, fears and obsessions—recalling the ritualistic function of ancient decorative vessels such as Greek vases and Egyptian sarcophagi.’
[Ian Kirkpatrick gnome1]
Visit Ian’s website
Hondartza Fraga – Hondartza will be showing both new work and excerpts from her 365 drawing project. This is the first and only time you will be able to see pieces of this exhibition before it is shown in its entirety early next year.
‘I use drawing, photography, animation and video as my main mediums to explore our individual and collective relation to the world around us, the different ‘distances’ between ourselves and everything else: spatial, temporal, emotional, cultural and imagined.’
[Image courtesy of ESA]
Visit Hondartza’s website
Gillian Holding – A visual artist who will have a virtual presence during Open Studios and who is exhibiting her studio as a live studio. Gillian’s set-up means that you can see her work progress in real time, offering a real insight into the nature of artistic creation.
“I like to think I have a methodology. It mainly involves wandering for hours on foot, immersing myself in sub/urban ‘edgelands” and nameless bits of nowhere. I walk anywhere: locally around my house and the environs of Leeds; London and Paris suburbs; and off the beaten track abroad whenever I get the opportunity.”
[Gillian Holding]
Visit Gillian’s website
Ben Eaton – A digital Interactive Artist and part of Invisible Flock, who makes thought-provoking and complex digital games and large scale interactive works.
[Image: www.thenorthernecho.co.uk]
More on Invisible Flock here
Ruth Fitton – A realist portraiture, Ruth will be showing her working studio and some of her latest portraits. Ruth is highly sought-after as a commissioning artist, and has exhibited across Yorkshire and in London. She is renowned for her ability to capture character on canvas.
[Ruth Fitton Portraits – 3]
Visit Ruth’s website
The Open Studios will take place in three of East Street Arts’ buildings: Patrick Studios, Union 105 and Barkston Studios, on the 11th – 12th of July, 12-7pm.
Twitter – @eaststreetarts
Visit their new Facebook page
#ESAopen #EastStreetArts #Come.See.BuyArt
www.eaststreetarts.org.uk
Check out the East Street Art Open Studios podcast here
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