Exhibition celebrates Leeds people and places
The faces, characters and stories of Leeds take centre stage this summer in a new exhibition by acclaimed artist and performer Mik Artistik, at Armley Library from June 15 to July 11.
For more than 40 years, Mik has been drawing the people of Leeds wherever he finds them – in pubs, libraries, bus stations, cafés and on street corners.
Working with black biro on brown paper bags, he has created an extraordinary visual archive of the city and its communities, capturing everyday life with humour, warmth and remarkable insight.
Known to many as the frontman of Mik Artistik’s Ego Trip and celebrated nationally for his distinctive artwork, Mik has spent decades documenting the people around him.
His drawings are not of celebrities or public figures but of ordinary Leeds residents whose faces and stories collectively tell the story of the city itself.
The ‘Bags of Life’ exhibition brings together a collection of these unique works, offering visitors a glimpse of Leeds through the eyes of one of its most original artists.
Alongside the exhibition, Mik will host two special events combining music, conversation and reflections on the people who have inspired his work.
These will take place on Wednesday June 24 at Headingley Library, 5.30-6.45pm and Wednesday July 1 at Armley Library, 5.40-6.45pm. Audiences will hear about Mik’s artistic journey, the characters he has encountered while drawing across the city, and the stories behind some of his most memorable portraits.
The events will also feature live music from Mik, whose unique blend of spoken word, performance and song has earned him a devoted following.
A further event is planned for Leeds Central Library in September, with details to be announced.
Mik Artistik said: “I’ve always drawn the people around me. I like to wander. The studio's not for me. I love the hunt.
"Walking into a garage, office, pub, any open door, and enquiring, "would anyone like their own personal paper bag?"
"There's a buzz working in biro, there's no second chance really. If you're in a tap room in Armley with a bunch of lads, you have to deliver.
"I've drawn tea ladies, butchers, bakers, bouncers. Everyone's 'Bagga-genic' and Leeds has provided me with so many characters, and so many amazing stories, and I've been lucky enough to record them. It's been a love affair with Leeds.”
The exhibition is a celebration of artistic creativity and a portrait of Leeds itself – seen through thousands of encounters, conversations and quick sketches made over four decades.
Mik Artistik: The People of Leeds will take place at Armley Library, June 15-July 11.