Theatre company brings art to the streets of south Leeds

Theatre company Slung Low has turned its attentions to art and display the best paintings, drawings and photographs created chosen by people in Beeston and Holbeck, where it is based.

And instead of displaying on gallery walls, the images will be exhibited on lamp posts around the two suburbs for all to enjoy during the coronavirus lockdown.

Alan Lane, artistic director of Slung Low, says they hope to showcase the creativity of local residents in these challenging times, adding: "Let's cheer ourselves up a bit."

He said, as theatre-makers, they understand story-telling:"LS11 Art Gallery is us telling the story that this area - like all parts of this nation - is full of creativity, that in every house are people who are brilliant, creative and capable of profound beauty. We need to make sure we keep telling that story in these challenging times.

"We’ re going to open an art gallery on the lamp posts of LS11 and the people who live here will make what we exhibit. Let’s cheer ourselves up a bit,” he said.

The company, which is based at The Holbeck - the oldest working men's club in Britain, has asked people in the suburbs to email a photo of their artwork over and they will arrange to come around and take a copy of it.

They will then print them onto a special plastic board which will be put on display around the lamp posts.

Since the coronavirus outbreak, Slung Low has been acting as volunteer guardians of the wards of Beeston and Holbeck, taking referrals from Leeds City Council Covid-19 helpline (0113 378 1877) .

With the help of staff from other arts organisations in Leeds including Opera North they are delivering food and medicine to the vulnerable, elderly and those in isolation.

Alan said: “Our instinct at Slung Low is always to be useful and kind. For the last few weeks that has primarily been about delivering food bank parcels and helping people get their prescription.

"We know that a hungry soul will find it hard to be creative, to find joy so the first part of our response has to be making sure that people have their basic material needs met: and we will continue that work until this is all over."

Any Holbeck or Beeston residents interested in taking part in the art project can email a photograph of their artwork to [email protected] or text on 07704582137.