Without being able to visit our favourite art galleries and museums over the last few months, we turned our focus to the art that’s on our streets instead.
Here’s a round-up of some – bold and discreet art – the team’s been admiring.
I came across these stone pillars on a summer evening walk and was really taken by them. The texture is lovely as are the gem-like bronze asterisks. Then I found out that the brilliant Sheffield artist Dave Appleyard did them. Well worth a stroll down to Solly Street to have a look. [Paul]
While out for a walk with my friend in a village called Woolsington we saw this fabulous mural on the gate of a family’s home. Looking into it more we found out that they had commissioned the rainbow by local tattoo artist, Steven Nesbitt, to say a special thank you to the NHS heroes! The little boy who lives there has suffered from mobility issues and according to his mum, Lindsey, without the NHS he would still be ‘in a wheelchair and unable to talk.’ [Mo]
I’ve discovered this artist recently and I love her work. I would have never thought a curling club could be cool but here you go! I particularly love the colour palette on this one. [Julie]
Andy McVeigh has been spicing up ubiquitous electric boxes around Leeds United’s Elland Road football ground for a little while now. However, in September last year, a group of vandals (referring to themselves as Leeds Residents Against Graffiti) went about in a Transit van, late at night, painting over all 14 of his pieces; the most sore being the defacement of one now iconic box in memory of the late Gary Speed. They even sent a statement to the YEP. In response, Leeds City Council, Virgin Media and the football club formally commissioned his work to be restored and expanded upon. For reasons difficult to fathom, football is not everybody’s cup of tea. Subsequently, in the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, Andy’s work adapted to include messages of support for the NHS and Key Workers, brightening up the city one bleak electric box at a time. [Liam]
This mural by Florence Blanchard was around the corner from our old offices. It was a joy to take a stroll past this on a sunny lunch break and always lifted my mood if I’d had a tough morning. [Alan]