Art project brightens up the city

Despite the damp and dreary weather, November in Leeds is about to get a little bit brighter.
Kasia Breska starting on the Kirkgate commissionKasia Breska starting on the Kirkgate commission
Kasia Breska starting on the Kirkgate commission

A series of street art installations are set to take place across Leeds city centre, with the first one currently underway.

Over the last few days local artist Kasia Breska has been working on her wall art of abstract mapping and secret Morse code messages, relating to Kirkgate and its historical significance within the city.

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It is one of five pieces of street art or an event that will pop up in the city between now and next summer and has been initiated by East Street Arts, and LeedsBID (Leeds Business Improvement District) which has fully funded the project.

Entitled, A City Less Grey, the project begins with Kirkgate, the oldest street in Leeds, on the hoarding covering the collapsed First White Cloth Hall.

The work on Kirkgate will be on a rolling programme, changing every four months, giving three Leeds artists the chance to experiment and showcase their work.

In March 2017 tattoo artist, Joe Dickinson will begin a second installation.

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Taking the project city-wide, artists Jo Peel, Mike Winnard, NOMAD Clan and Mel Holmes will also each take on a site in Leeds to transform with their own unique styles.

As well as complimenting a project by the Lower Kirkgate Townscape Heritage team who are regenerating Leeds’s oldest street, A City Less Grey also aims to promote and kick start urban artwork across the city.

Nicola Greenan from East Street Arts explained: “East Street Arts want to pave the way to break down barriers and challenge the impression of street art.

“We have not yet embraced the individuality and beauty street art can bring to our everyday lives within the city centre.”

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