Virtual gallery showcases Leeds communities' lockdown art projects

Called ‘Unlocked - Inspiration from Isolation’, the online gallery is the brainchild of arts and social change charity Space2 which has spent the pandemic working with local communities on a range of creative activities to help keep them connected during lockdown.

The exhibition - set in a virtual space which visitors can explore like any ordinary gallery - shows the result of these arts projects and features poetry, textiles, artwork, dance and film.

Jelena Zindovic, Space2 project manager and exhibition curator, said: “This exhibition is the culmination of nearly a year of working with isolated Leeds’ communities during the pandemic, providing weekly packs to stimulate their creativity.

“We wanted to create something which is a reflection of lockdown. Everyone has had such a difficult time and it’s good to see that art has been so important in terms of keeping people engaged and connected.”

She added: “The virtual gallery is stunning to look at and quite groundbreaking in its approach. It feels as if you are walking through an actual arts space.”

The gallery has been co-curated with One to One, a Wakefield-based arts organisation which has been developing innovative online spaces, galleries and museums in response to Covid-19.

Judi Alston, CEO and creative director of One to One Development Trust, said: “We took inspiration from the artwork people had made to create a purpose-built digital space with strong clean design, easy usability and an environmental focus.

“We wanted to create a bright, accessible and happy space for visitors.

“Unlike a physical gallery dictated by space, the virtual gallery has limitless potential for expansion through building new rooms, floors and outside areas.”

The gallery consists of three ‘rooms’ which each reflect different aspects of the pandemic.

The first room, Greetings from the Unknown, includes images from a postcard project which encouraged people to create their own designs reflecting positivity, creativity and community coherence during the pandemic.

The second room, Sounds of Lockdown, showcases work created by artists and members of the community through Space2’s creative wellbeing packs which were distributed throughout the pandemic and included ideas for poetry, textiles, and a sound project.

The third room, Colour Our City Green, focuses on work carried out with people in east Leeds to co-produce a show and song of their thoughts on the climate crisis - a performance which had originally been due to take place at Leeds Playhouse in July 2020.

This room also includes a song performed by community members, the Space2 children’s choir and Commoners Choir and and a film of Phoenix Youth Academy’s dance piece about global warming, with music by East Leeds FM’s Jazz Collective.

Jelena said: “The singing brought lots of different groups together.

“They really looked forward to seeing each other online and creating something which allowed their voices to be heard.”

The Unlocked virtual gallery is funded by Leeds Inspired and Arts Council England. To view the gallery visit: https://space2.org.uk/unlocked.

*Space2, an arts and social change organisation, was set up in 2003 to help disadvantaged communities in Gipton and Seacroft. Together with The Old Fire Station, Zest and Healtwatch, Space2 have also been part of the emergency Covid-19 response in Gipton and Harehills helping those affected by the pandemic by providing food, shopping services and collecting pharmacy prescriptions.

The organisation has also been delivering remote parent and tot sessions every week, providing children’s books and craft activities alongside Zoom sessions for parents to share ideas and mutual support.

To find out more about Space2 activities go to www.space2.org.uk.

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