Leeds Street Art Trail

In the heart of Leeds, a monumental mural stands as a beacon of hope and unity. ‘You & Me, Me & You’ is a striking black and white artwork that towers up to 88-feet high, visible from both the street and the River Aire.

This permanent public installation graces the side of 32 The Calls, making a bold statement in the city’s historic centre.

• Location: 32 The Calls, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7EW (Google Map Directions)
• Dimensions: Up to 88 feet high
• Year created: 2021 (during the COVID-19 lockdown)

Artist Profile

Anthony Burrill, the acclaimed graphical artist behind this masterpiece, brings a personal connection to Leeds. Having studied Graphic Design at Leeds Beckett University, Burrill expressed his joy at creating a permanent artwork in the city where he honed his craft.

• Website: anthonyburrill.com
• Instagram: @anthonyburrill

Burrill is known for his distinctive style, combining bold typography with powerful, often uplifting messages.

Artwork Details

The mural features striking black and white lettering, spelling out “You & Me, Me & You” in Burrill’s signature style. This simple yet profound message is designed to resonate with viewers, emphasising connection and unity.

The piece was created using large-scale printing techniques, allowing for the impressive size and clarity of the lettering. The monochrome palette ensures maximum visibility and impact, making the artwork impossible to miss against the Leeds skyline.

Commissioning Information

This project was a collaborative effort, bringing together various local entities:

• Curated by Laura Wellington of In Good Company, a Leeds-based organisation known for bringing colour to the city through public art projects
• Supported and funded by King & Co, a local property company
• Installed by Bread Collective, a multidisciplinary studio

How to Find It

The mural is prominently displayed on the side of 32 The Calls, in the historic city centre of Leeds. It’s easily visible from both the street and the River Aire.

Stand by the Sphere Status in front of Ambiente and look up the side of the Aire Bar building.

Additional Resources

• In Good Company: @ingoodcompanyleeds
• King & Co Leeds: @kingandcoleeds
• Laura Wellington (Curator): @laurawelli

In the heart of Leeds city centre, a striking mural pays tribute to rugby league legend Rob Burrow. This captivating piece of urban art showcases Burrow in his iconic Leeds Rhinos blue jersey, smiling and in his prime. The mural adorns the Portland Building of Leeds Beckett University on Woodhouse Lane, just a short walk from the Headingway ground where Burrow made history.

• Location: Portland Building, Leeds Beckett University, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 3HE (Google Maps Direction)

 

Artist Profile

Akse P19, also known as James Archer, is a 30-year-old street artist based in Leeds. Akse P19 has gained recognition for his ability to capture the essence of his subjects, often choosing to depict local heroes and inspirational figures.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/akse_p19

Artwork Details

The mural depicts Rob Burrow in his Leeds Rhinos jersey. This image was carefully chosen to represent Burrow “in all his glory,” capturing the spirit and positivity that have defined both his rugby career and his battle with motor neurone disease (MND).

The artist used spray paint to create this photorealistic portrait, showcasing his skill in capturing life-like details and emotions. The mural took two days to complete due to weather conditions, demonstrating the artist’s dedication to the project.

Context and Significance

This mural was created to honour Rob Burrow’s remarkable contributions both on and off the rugby field. As a player, Burrow won eight Super League championships and earned 20- international caps. However, his impact extends far beyond his sporting achievements.

In 2019, Burrow was diagnosed with motor neurone disease. Since then, he has become an inspiration to many through his positive attitude and tireless efforts to raise awareness and funds for MND research. The mural serves as a testament to Burrow’s enduring legacy and his impact on the Leeds community.

Commissioning Information

The mural was commissioned as a collaborative effort by Leeds City Council, BBC Sport, and Leeds Rhinos. This project is part of a larger initiative to recognise local heroes and their contributions to the city of Leeds.

Best Viewing

The mural is best viewed from the front of Leeds Beckett University, just across the road from the Dry Dock pub.

Additional Resources

• Leeds Rhinos official website for more information about Rob Burrow’s career and ongoing MND campaign
• MND Association for details on how to support MND research and care

The Cornucopia mural, a vibrant and iconic piece of public art, stands proudly beside the historic Corn Exchange in Leeds city centre. Created in 1990, this impressive artwork has become a familiar landmark, brightening the area and celebrating the city’s heritage.

• Location: Adjacent to the Leeds Corn Exchange (Google Maps Location)
• Year created: 1990
• Recognition: Recipient of the Leeds Award for Architecture and the Environment

Artist Profile

Graeme Willson, the talented artist behind the Cornucopia mural, was a native of nearby Ilkley. A graduate of Reading University, Willson enjoyed a diverse career in the arts, most notably:

• Worked across various artistic mediums
• Lectured at several art institutions
• Created numerous public artworks and mural

Graeme sadly passed away in 2018 after a battle with cancer.

Website: http://www.graemewillson.co.uk/

Artwork Details

The Cornucopia mural is a rich tapestry of imagery and symbolism:

• Prominently features the Leeds Corn Exchange building
• Depicts the goddess Cornucopia, symbolising abundance and prosperity
• Incorporates themes of harvest and plenty
• Showcases architectural details and classical features
• Cleverly integrates with its surroundings, painted on the side of a former chip shop

As noted by a critic: “His paintings do not replace, de-nature or dissolve the wall; neither are they arbitrary easel paintings hung on it. Each is completely integrated into the architecture for which it is intended, with an enviable and exemplary alertness to the key features of its surroundings and to their potential for reassembly into powerful original composition.”

Context and Significance

The Cornucopia mural was commissioned during the renovation of the neighbouring Corn Exchange, with the aim of revitalising the area. It has since become an integral part of Leeds’ urban landscape, serving as a visual representation of the city’s history and prosperity.

Commissioning Information

The mural was sponsored by the Corn Exchange itself, demonstrating a commitment to enhancing the local environment and supporting the arts.

How to Find It

The mural is easily visible when standing near the bus stops by the Corn Exchange. Its prominent location ensures it’s a hard-to-miss feature of the Leeds cityscape.

Nearby Attractions

• Leeds Corn Exchange: A historic Victorian building now housing independent retailers and eateries
• Kirkgate Market: One of the largest indoor markets in Europe
• Leeds City Centre: Numerous shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions within walking distance

Photography Tips

• The best vantage point is from the bus stops near the Corn Exchange
• Try to capture both the mural and the Corn Exchange building in one shot to show the connection
• Early morning or late afternoon light can enhance the vibrant colours of the mural

Conservation and Maintenance

As a significant piece of public art and a recipient of a prestigious award, it’s likely that the mural is subject to regular maintenance to preserve its vibrancy and structural integrity.

Interactive Elements

While the mural itself is not interactive, its central location makes it a popular backdrop for photos. Visitors are encouraged to share their pictures on social media using hashtags like #CornucopiaMural and #LeedsPublicArt to engage with the wider community.

Athena Rising is an awe-inspiring mural that dominates the Leeds skyline. Located on the towering Platform building on New Station Street, this monumental piece of street art is impossible to miss.

• Location: Platform building, New Station Street, Leeds (Google Map Location)
• Dimensions: 46.8 metres (153 feet) tall, 11 metres wide
• Year created: 2017
• Claim to fame: UK’s tallest mural

Artist Profile

Athena Rising was created by Nomad Clan, a duo of Manchester-based graffiti artists known for their large-scale murals and distinctive style.

• Artists: Nomad Clan
• Style: Large-scale street art with symbolic and cultural references
• Website: www.nomadclan.co.uk
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomad.clan

Artwork Details

Athena Rising features several symbolic elements:

• An owl, which is Leeds’ mascot and a popular feature in the city’s street art
• The moon, connecting to ancient symbolism and mythology
• A crown, representing the city’s importance
• Gold sacred geometry, inspired by mathematics in nature

The mural took 7-months of planning and design work, followed by 16-days of painting using a sky lift.

Context and Significance

Athena Rising is part of the citywide street art project ‘A City Less Grey’, initiated by East Street Arts and funded by LeedsBID (Leeds Business Improvement District). This project aims to animate the city and incorporate artworks into Leeds’ urban landscape.

The owl in the mural has deep symbolic meaning, representing intelligence, knowledge, wealth, learning, and transition. It connects to various cultural mythologies, including Greek goddess Athena and Roman goddess Diana.

Commissioning Information

• Project: ‘A City Less Grey’
• Initiated by: East Street Arts
• Funded by: LeedsBID (Leeds Business Improvement District)

How to Find It

The mural is easily visible from many parts of central Leeds, particularly:

• From Leeds City Train Station
• Along New Station Street
• From various vantage points in the city centre

Nearby Attractions

• Leeds City Train Station
• Trinity Leeds shopping center
• Leeds Corn Exchange
• Other ‘A City Less Grey’ artworks by Jo Peel, Joe Dickinson, Kasia Breska, and Mike Winnard

Photography Tips

• For a potrait picture, try photographing from a distance to capture the entire height
• Early morning or late afternoon light can enhance the mural’s colours and details
• Include surrounding architecture for scale and context

Conservation and Maintenance

As a relatively recent addition to Leeds’ urban art scene, specific conservation information is not provided. However, given its significance and scale, it’s likely that measures are in place to maintain its condition.

Interactive Elements

While the mural itself is not interactive, its prominent location makes it a popular backdrop for photos. Visitors are encouraged to share their pictures on social media using hashtags like #AthenaRising, #ACityLessGrey, and #LeedsStreetArt.

Additional Resources

• East Street Arts – A City Less Grey
• https://www.instagram.com/aylo_nomad/
• https://www.instagram.com/cbloxx_/

The INSA X Moniker mural is a vibrant, eco-friendly masterpiece that adorns the side of Wharf Chambers in Leeds city centre. This carbon-conscious and waste-aware artwork is not just visually stunning but also actively contributes to environmental sustainability.

• Location: Side of Wharf Chambers, Leeds city centre (Google Map Location)
• Dimensions: 13 metres high, 11 metres wide
• Year created: 2019 (15th anniversary of INSA’s ‘Graffiti Fetish’)

Artist Profile

INSA is a globally recognised artist who returned to his home city of Leeds to create this impressive mural.

• Artist name: INSA
• Background: Started his graffiti and art career in Leeds over 20 years ago
• Instagram: Instagram – @insa_gram
• Website: https://insaland.com/
• Notable works: Creator of ‘Graffiti Fetish’ and ‘GIF-ITI’, a new genre of art

Artwork Details

The INSA X Moniker mural is a striking blend of colour and symbolism:

• Features a rainbow sunset gradient background
• Bold linework communicates the need to protect Mother Earth
• Reflects interconnected human efforts to protect future generations and the planet
• Painted using Graphenstone Biosphere paint, the world’s most certified green brand
• The mural absorbs CO2, equivalent to an adult tree over three years

Context and Significance

This mural represents INSA’s first large-scale artwork in Leeds city centre, marking a significant return to his roots. It combines artistic beauty with environmental consciousness, setting a new standard for sustainable public art. The piece not only adds vibrancy to the urban landscape but also promotes awareness of environmental issues.

Commissioning Information

• Curated by: Moniker Art Fair
• Supported by: Yorkshire Design Group & LeedsBID
• Part of: A larger initiative to bring impactful, sustainable art to Leeds

How to Find It

To locate the mural:

1. Head under the railway bridge in Leeds city centre
2. Turn right onto the cobbled street
3. Look for Wharf Chambers – the mural is on its side wall

Best time to visit: Daylight hours to fully appreciate the vibrant colours, particularly during golden hour for enhanced sunset hues.

Nearby Attractions

• Wharf Chambers – A cooperative bar and venue
• Leeds Train Station – A short walk away
• Leeds city centre shops and restaurants

Photography Tips

• Capture the full mural from across the street for a complete view
• Visit during golden hour to enhance the rainbow sunset gradient
• Include pedestrians or nearby architecture for scale
• Try close-up shots to highlight the intricate linework and paint texture

Additional Resources

• Moniker Art Fair
• Graphenstone – Eco-friendly Paint

A bold and vibrant piece of public art that transforms an entire building into a contemporary masterpiece. This eye-catching mural brings a burst of colour to the streets of Leeds.

• Location: Corner of The Calls & Wharf St, opposite Calls Landing, Leeds (Google Map Location)
• Dimensions: 6783 sq ft of public art
• Year created: July 2019

Artist Profile

Mr Penfold is a renowned artist known for his distinctive style and vibrant colour palette.

• Artist name: Mr Penfold
• Background: Originally from Cambridge, England, now based in Bristol
• Notable works: Large-scale murals and designs showcased worldwide

Artwork Details

The Graphical House mural is a testament to Mr Penfold’s unique artistic vision:

• Features the artist’s trademark style of colour, pattern, and texture
• Covers the entire exterior of the building, creating a new landmark for Leeds
• Utilises a distinctive and recognizable colour palette
• Completed in just 7-days, battling varied weather conditions

Context and Significance

This mural represents a significant addition to Leeds’ public art scene, transforming an ordinary building into a contemporary art piece. It has quickly become a local landmark, informally known as #PenfoldManor, and has sparked positive changes in attitudes towards public art in the city.

Commissioning Information

• Curated by: In Good Company
• Supported by: King and Co Leeds
• Part of: An initiative to bring bold, contemporary art to Leeds’ public spaces

How to Find It

The mural is easy to spot:

• Located on the corner of The Calls and Wharf Street
• Directly opposite Calls Landing

Best time to visit: Daylight hours to fully appreciate the vibrant colours. The mural’s scale and positioning make it visible throughout the day.

Nearby Attractions

• Calls Landing – A popular waterfront bar and eatery
• The Calls – A historic area with boutique shops and restaurants
• Leeds Corn Exchange – A Victorian-era building housing independent retailers
• Leeds Dock – A waterfront destination with shops, cafes, and events

Photography Tips

• Capture the full mural from across the street for a complete view
• Use wide-angle lenses to encompass the entire building
• Try different times of day to see how light affects the vibrant colours
• Include people or vehicles in your shots to provide scale

Additional Resources

• • In Good Company – Leeds Public Art Curators
  • King and Co Leeds

 

‘Here We Go Now’ is a vibrant and expansive mural that transforms the rear of the Hilton Leeds City Hotel into a colourful wonderland, enhancing the south entrance of Leeds Station.

• Location: Hilton Leeds City Hotel wall, Little Neville Street, Leeds (Google Map Directions)
• Dimensions: 20 metres tall at its highest point, 50 metres long
• Year created: 2023

Artist Profile

Josephine Hicks is a UK-based artist known for her ‘pop botanical’ style and large-scale murals.

• Artist name: Josephine Hicks
• Background: Fine Art graduate with a passion for screen printing and large-scale painting
• Website: josephinehicks.com
• Instagram: @hixxy

Artwork Details

‘Here We Go Now’ is a playful and vibrant mural that captures the essence of Leeds’ urban energy:

• Features walking fingers, rolling orbs, and climbing and descending stairs
• Incorporates rounded archways and angular steps, referencing the station’s architecture
• Uses a colour palette inspired by 1940s railway travel posters
• Combines way-finding elements with bold, infectious style
• Created by a team of 5-artists over 10-days

Context and Significance

This mural was commissioned to animate an important entry point to Leeds city centre. It celebrates the movement and flow of people arriving and departing the city, while adding a much-needed splash of colour to the urban landscape. The artwork’s unique style allows viewers to form their own narratives, giving it a timeless quality that aligns with the city’s forward-thinking approach to public art.

Commissioning Information

• Commissioned by: LeedsBID, Hilton Leeds City Hotel, and Moniker Culture
• Part of: An ongoing initiative to add colour and creativity to Leeds’ streets
• Supported by: Leeds BID

How to Find It

The mural is easily accessible and visible:

• Located on the wall of Hilton Leeds City Hotel on Little Neville Street
• Directly visible from the south entrance of Leeds Station
• A short walk from Leeds city centre

Best time to visit: Daylight hours to fully appreciate the vibrant colours and intricate details. The mural’s scale makes it visible throughout the day.

Nearby Attractions

• Leeds Train Station – The mural is at the south entrance
• Granary Wharf – A waterfront area with shops, restaurants, and bars
• Leeds City Centre – A short walk away, offering numerous attractions and amenities
• Other public artworks as part of Leeds’ growing urban art scene

Photography Tips

• Use a wide-angle lens to capture the full scale of the 50-metre-long mural
• Try different angles to showcase the various elements and characters in the artwork
• Capture the mural with passing pedestrians to show its scale and integration with the urban environment
• Visit during different times of day to see how changing light affects the vibrant colours

Additional Resources

• LeedsBID – Information on city improvement initiatives
• Moniker Culture – Curators of public art projects
• East Street Arts – Leeds-based arts organization

‘ECHOES’ is a stunning mural that celebrates Leeds’ rich ceramics heritage, particularly the renowned Burmantofts pottery. This visually captivating piece blends traditional patterns with contemporary design.

• Location: Two-storey gable end of a former pub in Mabgate, Leeds (Google Map Location)
• Dimensions: Covers entire two-storey gable end
• Year created: 2023 (as part of Leeds 2023 Year of Culture)

Artist Profile

Add Fuel is the artistic name of Portuguese visual artist Diogo Machado, known for his innovative approach to traditional tile patterns.

• Artist name: Add Fuel (Diogo Machado)
• Background: Portuguese artist specializing in reinterpreting traditional tile designs
• Website: www.addfuel.com

Artwork Details

‘ECHOES’ is a complex and layered mural that rewards close inspection:

• Incorporates redesigned patterns from tiles found in Leeds’ iconic institutions
• Blends traditional decorative elements with contemporary designs
• Features unique images and characters with deep emotions
• Creates a symmetrical art piece that plays with visual interpretation
• Infuses redesigned Persian tiles, creating a blend of East and West

Context and Significance

This mural is a significant addition to Leeds’ cultural landscape, serving multiple purposes:

• Celebrates the area’s important ceramics heritage, particularly Burmantofts pottery
• Part of Leeds 2023, the city’s Year of Culture
• Contributes to the regeneration of Mabgate, creating a sense of identity
• Bridges past and present, creating “an echo of the past living vividly in the present”

Commissioning Information

• Commissioned by: Leeds Culture Trust Limited
• Part of: East Street Arts’ ‘A City Less Grey’ series
• Supported by: Leeds City Council (funding and support for Mabgate regeneration)

How to Find It

The mural is located in the Mabgate area of Leeds:

• Look for the two-storey gable end of a former pub in Mabgate
• Easily visible from the street due to its size and vibrant design

Best time to visit: Daylight hours to fully appreciate the intricate details and colours of the mural.

Nearby Attractions

• Other ‘A City Less Grey’ artworks:
  • ‘Athena Rising’ mural near Leeds Train Station
  • ‘Hare of Harehills’ outside The Compton Centre
  • ‘Common Ground’ at the old ABC cinema site on Vicar Lane
• Mabgate area – experiencing ongoing regeneration
• Leeds city centre – a short distance away with numerous amenities

Photography Tips

• Capture the full mural to showcase its scale and overall design
• Take close-up shots to reveal the intricate details and hidden characters
• Try different angles to highlight the interplay between traditional and contemporary elements
• Visit during different times of day to see how changing light affects the mural’s appearance

Additional Resources

• • Leeds 2023 – Year of Culture
  • East Street Arts – ‘A City Less Grey’ project

 

A series of vibrant, rainbow-colored murals adorning the exterior of Bridge Bar, celebrating Pride and adding a burst of colour to Leeds’ urban landscape.

• Location: Bridge Bar, Leeds (Google Map Directions)
• Dimensions: Multiple murals covering various wall spaces
• Year created: 2023

Artist Profile

These murals were created by an emerging local artist Karl Leeds. This project marks their first public commission and represents a significant milestone in their artistic journey.

• Background: A Leeds resident since childhood, now pursuing a passion for spray paint art
• Style: Vibrant, psychedelic portraits with rainbow colour schemes
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karl__leeds

Artwork Details

The Pride murals at Bridge Bar consist of multiple pieces, each with distinct characteristics:

• Corner Mural: A close-up of a person’s face, focusing on a smiling mouth and nose, rendered in psychedelic rainbow colours
• Larger Wall Mural: Features two main elements:
  • A partial face with an open mouth on the left
  • A central face with striking, detailed eyes and a piercing gaze

Context and Significance

These murals hold special significance for both the artist and the local community:

• Created specifically for Pride celebrations, representing inclusivity and diversity
• Marks the artist’s first public commission and a personal milestone
• Adds vibrancy to Leeds’ urban environment
• Potential inclusion in the official Leeds Mural Trail, cementing its place in the city’s artistic landscape

Commissioning Information

• Commissioned by: Gemma, associated with Bridge Bar
• Part of: Pride celebrations in Leeds

How to Find It

The murals are easily visible on the exterior of Bridge Bar:

• Located on the side and corner of the building
• The corner mural can be seen to the left side of the bar

Best time to visit: Daylight hours for the best view of the vibrant colours.

Nearby Attractions

• Bridge Bar itself – a popular venue for LGBT events
• Other bars and nightlife spots in the area

Photography Tips

• Capture the corner mural to showcase how it wraps around the building
• For the larger mural, try to get a full-width shot to include all elements
• Take close-ups of the detailed eyes and expressions
• Experiment with different angles to highlight the contrast between the vibrant art and the brick building

Additional Resources

• Leeds Pride – Official Website
• Bridge Bar Instagram

A stunning 50-foot high mural celebrating Leeds United’s promotion hero Pablo Hernandez, capturing an iconic moment in the club’s recent history.

• Location: Duck & Drake pub, Kirkgate, Leeds, UK (Google Map Location)
• Dimensions: 50 feet high
• Year created: 2020

Artist Profile

The mural was created by local Leeds artist Adam Duffield, known for his sports-themed artworks.

• Background: Leeds-based artist specialising in large-scale murals
• Notable works: Other Leeds United-themed artworks, including collaborations with player Mateusz Klich
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adam_duffield

Artwork Details

The mural depicts a crucial moment in Leeds United’s recent history:

• Captures Pablo Hernandez’s celebration following his winning goal against Swansea City
• Represents a pivotal moment in Leeds United’s promotion to the Premier League after 16-years
• Created using spray paint techniques
• Completed in just one week

Context and Significance

This mural holds deep significance for Leeds United fans and the local community:

• Commemorates Leeds United’s return to the Premier League after a 16-year absence
• Celebrates Pablo Hernandez’s crucial role in the club’s success
• Part of a larger initiative to create a mural tour across the city, celebrating the club’s rich history
• Voted for by Leeds United Supporters’ Trust members, ensuring fan involvement in the project

Commissioning Information

• Commissioned by: Leeds United Supporters’ Trust (LUST)
• Part of: A fan-funded project to create several Leeds United murals across the city
• Supporters: RIM Scaffolding (provided free scaffolding services)

How to Find It

The mural is prominently displayed in Leeds city centre:

• Located on the side of the Duck & Drake pub on Kirkgate
• Easily visible from the street, standing 50 feet high
• A short walk from Leeds Train Station and other city centre landmarks

Nearby Attractions

• Duck & Drake pub – A historic venue popular with Leeds United fans
• Kalvin Phillips mural – Another Leeds United-themed artwork nearby
• Leeds Kirkgate Market – Historic market hall a short walk away

Photography Tips

• Use a wide-angle lens to capture the full 50-foot height of the mural
• Try different angles to showcase the scale of the artwork against the surrounding architecture
• Capture photos during different times of day to see how lighting affects the mural’s appearance

Additional Resources

• Leeds United Supporters’ Trust – Official Website

A stunning mural celebrating Leeds United’s diverse heritage, featuring current star Kalvin Phillips alongside club legends Albert Johanneson and Lucas Radebe.

• Location: The Calls, Leeds city centre (Google Map Location)
• Dimensions: 12 metres high
• Year created: 2021

Artist Profile

The mural was created by renowned French street artist Akse P19.

• Background: French street artist known for photorealistic murals
• Instagram: @akse_p19
• Website: www.akse-p19.com

Artwork Details

The ‘Paving the Way’ mural is a photorealistic masterpiece:

• Kalvin Phillips’ torso is the central focus, emblazoned on the 12-metre high wall
• Albert Johanneson is depicted above Phillips’ right shoulder
• Lucas Radebe is shown above Phillips’ left shoulder
• The New York City skyline is visible in the background, symbolizing the Roc Nation partnership
• Created using spray paint techniques to achieve a photorealistic effect
• Completed in just seven days, showcasing the artist’s skill and efficiency

Context and Significance

This mural holds multiple layers of significance for Leeds United and the city:

• Celebrates Leeds United’s diverse heritage by featuring players from different eras and backgrounds
• Marks the partnership between Leeds United and Roc Nation, a New York-based entertainment agency
• Highlights local talent in Kalvin Phillips, a Leeds-born player
• Adds to Leeds’ growing reputation as a city embracing street art
• Aims to increase Leeds United’s visibility in the United States

Commissioning Information

• Commissioned by: Leeds United in partnership with Roc Nation
• Part of: Celebration of the new collaboration between Leeds United and Roc Nation
• Supported by: Leeds United’s director of football, Victor Orta

How to Find It

The mural is prominently displayed in Leeds city centre:

• Located on The Calls, a street known for its historic warehouses
• Easily visible due to its size and prominent position
• A short walk from Leeds Train Station and other city centre landmarks

Best time to visit: Daylight hours for the best view of the detailed, photorealistic artwork.

Nearby Attractions

• Leeds Corn Exchange – Historic Victorian building with independent shops
• Leeds Kirkgate Market – One of the largest indoor markets in Europe
• Royal Armouries Museum – National museum of arms and armour
• Other street art pieces in the Leeds city centre

Photography Tips

• Use a wide-angle lens to capture the full height of the 12-metre mural
• Try different angles to showcase the detail of each player’s portrait
• Capture photos during different times of day to see how lighting affects the mural’s appearance
• Include pedestrians or nearby architecture for scale

Additional Resources

• Leeds United FC – Official Website
• Roc Nation – Official Website

A vibrant and welcoming 20-metre mural on the exterior wall of the iconic Leeds Kirkgate Market, greeting visitors to the city with a colourful “Hello and Welcome to Leeds”.

• Location: George Street wall of Leeds Kirkgate Market (Google Map Location)
• Dimensions: 20 metres long
• Year created: 2015

Artist Profile

The mural was created by Leeds-based illustrator Nathan Evans.

• Background: Leeds-based illustrator known for vibrant, typography-focused artworks
• Website: n-evans.com

Artwork Details

The George Street Welcome mural is a perfect blend of historical nod and modern design:

• Hand-drawn letters spell out “Hello and Welcome To Leeds”
• Typography reflects the Victorian origins of the market buildings
• Vibrant color palette and geometric background root the work in the 21st century
• Features an interactive spot for visitors to take photos framed by the artwork
• Created using outdoor paint, withstanding the elements for long-lasting impact

Context and Significance

This mural holds multiple layers of significance for Leeds:

• Welcomes visitors arriving at the nearby city bus station
• Celebrates the opening of John Lewis and Victoria Gate
• Part of an initiative to animate key city centre locations
• Brightens up an area undergoing major change
• Contributes to Leeds’ growing reputation as a city embracing street art

Commissioning Information

• Commissioned by: Leeds Business Improvement District (LeedsBID)
• Part of: ‘A City Less Grey’ initiative and Leeds City Council’s Unfold programme
• Supported by: Leeds City Council

How to Find It

The mural is prominently displayed and easy to find:

• Located on the George Street wall of Leeds Kirkgate Market
• Directly visible when exiting Leeds Bus Station
• A short walk from Leeds Train Station and city centre

Best time to visit: Daylight hours for the best view of the vibrant colours. The market’s opening hours may provide opportunities for exploring the area further.

Nearby Attractions

• Leeds Kirkgate Market – One of the largest indoor markets in Europe
• Victoria Gate and John Lewis – Modern shopping destinations
• Leeds Bus Station – Major transport hub

Photography Tips

• Use a wide-angle lens to capture the full 20-metre length of the mural
• Take advantage of the interactive photo spot designed into the artwork
• Capture the contrast between the colourful mural and the historic market building
• Include people in your shots to show scale and the mural’s welcoming nature

Additional Resources

• LeedsBID – Official Website

A striking 130-foot mural transforming a previously drab thoroughfare into a vibrant art space. Located in Buttons Yard, this piece serves as a colorful welcome to those walking between Leeds Station and Lower Briggate.

• Location: Buttons Yard walkway, adjacent to Leeds Train Station
• Dimensions: 130 feet long
• Year created: 2023

The mural was created by Leeds-based designer and illustrator Freddie Denton. He specializes in large-scale murals and illustrations.

• Website: freddiedenton.com
• Instagram: @freddiedentonstudio

Artwork Details

The “Inhale, Exhale” mural combines several artistic elements:

• Large-scale typography entwined with floral motifs
• Spring-inspired designs bringing new life to the space
• Created using 30 litres of masonry paint and 50 cans of spray paint
• Two weeks of on-site work
• Designed to be both visually striking and contemplative

Context and Significance

This mural serves multiple purposes in the urban landscape:

• Transforms a liminal city space into a meaningful environment
• Provides a gentle reminder for commuters to slow down and be present
• Creates a warm welcome for visitors and commuters
• Gives the area its own distinct identity
• Offers public art outside the traditional gallery context

Commissioning Information

• Commissioned by: LeedsBID (Leeds Business Improvement District)
• Supported by: Network Rail & The Arch Company
• Part of: Ongoing initiative to enhance Leeds’ public spaces

How to Find It

The mural is easily accessible:

• Located in Buttons Yard
• Along the walkway between Leeds Train Station and Lower Briggate
• On the walls of old railway arches

Best time to visit: Accessible throughout the day, with natural lighting providing different perspectives on the artwork.

Photography Tips

• Capture the full 130-foot length using wide-angle shots
• Focus on details of the typography and floral elements
• Try different times of day for varying light conditions
• Include people in shots to show scale and context

Tucked into the riverside walkway at Brewery Wharf, ‘Washing Marine’ is one of the city’s most playful pieces of street art — a vintage deep-sea diver appearing to climb out of a domestic washing machine, painted in three-dimensional anamorphic perspective.

The mural was unveiled in November 2018 and was claimed at the time to be the UK’s largest 3D anamorphic work of its kind.

• Location: 2 Brewery Place, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS10 1NE (Google Map Directions)
• Year created: 2018
• Claim to fame: Claimed UK’s largest 3D anamorphic mural at unveiling

Artist Profile

Ralph Replete is a Leeds-based street artist with around two decades of work across the city. He works under the name ‘Replete’, taken from the Replete (Honey Ant) species, and is best known for anamorphic 3D optical-illusion murals alongside more traditional graffiti lettering.

• Website: replete.art
• Instagram: @artistreplete

Artwork Details

The mural depicts a vintage deep-sea diver in old-fashioned helmeted suit, painted so the figure appears to climb out of a domestic washing machine laid on its side. The anamorphic forced-perspective technique means the diver reads as fully three-dimensional from the riverside approach — step a few paces in either direction and the illusion shifts.

Replete has said the design “responds to the shape of the wall, the surrounding residential apartments and the waterfront”, tying the marine figure to the river running just behind the wall.

Context and Significance

At the time of its unveiling in November 2018, ‘Washing Marine’ was claimed to be the UK’s largest 3D anamorphic mural of its kind. It joins a small but growing set of optical-illusion street art pieces across UK cities, and remains one of the most-photographed pieces in Leeds’ South Bank.

Commissioning Information

The work was commissioned by Rushbond PLC, the Leeds property group that owns and manages Brewery Wharf. Replete was given “total freedom of expression” on the brief, and chose the diver-and-washing-machine concept to play on the contrast between domestic life and the waterside setting.

How to Find It

The mural sits on the gable end of 2 Brewery Place, on the south bank of the River Aire just east of Leeds Bridge. Walk along the riverside path heading towards Leeds Dock and the mural appears on the left, framed between the apartment buildings of Brewery Wharf.

Photography Tips

The 3D illusion works best from a vantage point a few metres back from the wall — the diver appears to leap out of the washing machine drum when viewed dead-on. Overcast light flatters the metallic helmet detail; harsh sun bleaches the highlights.

Additional Resources

• Replete: @artistreplete
• Rushbond: rushbond.co.uk

Painted on the river wall just east of Centenary Bridge, ‘The Grey Heron’ is one of Leeds’ most original pieces of street art — a heron in flight that disappears beneath the River Aire when water levels rise, then reappears as the river drops back.

The mural was launched in June 2019 and quickly became a favourite stop on the city’s waterfront walk, partly for the visual but partly for the wait — most visitors only see the heron at low tide.

• Location: 11-15 Wharf Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7EY (Google Map Directions)
• Year created: 2019
• Claim to fame: Submerges and reappears with the tide

Artist Profile

Peter Barber is a Leeds-based muralist whose work often plays with site, weather and the everyday rhythms of a place. The Grey Heron is his best-known Leeds piece, created specifically to interact with the river it sits beside.

• Website: peterbarber.co.uk

Artwork Details

The heron is rendered in flight against the brick of the river wall, painted in muted greys with a single shock of detail in the wing. Because the wall sits below the high-water line, parts of the bird are submerged whenever the Aire rises — most days, only the head and upper wings are visible from the path above.

Grey herons themselves are a familiar sight along this stretch of river, and the piece is partly a nod to the wildlife already moving through the city centre.

Context and Significance

The mural was commissioned to mark a wider improvement of Leeds’ waterfront walk and to give people a reason to slow down and look at the river. It works best on still, low-water days; after heavy rain, the bird almost vanishes.

Commissioning Information

Commissioned by Leeds City Council under the Waterfront Enhancement Fund, with delivery support from Canal Connections CIC, Yorkshire Design Group and IVE, and curated by In Good Company.

How to Find It

Walk down to the river behind 11-15 Wharf Street, just upstream of Leeds Bridge and Centenary Bridge. Look down at the brick wall on the far bank — the heron sits at water level, easiest to spot from the riverside path or the bridge itself.

Photography Tips

Go at low tide and on a still day for the cleanest view. After rain the bird will be partly underwater, which is part of the design but harder to photograph well.

Additional Resources

• In Good Company: @ingoodcompanyleeds

Tucked into a small courtyard between the office blocks at 31 York Place and 33 Park Place, ‘Winifred’ is an armoured elephant decorated with Yorkshire white roses and the silhouettes of the city’s old mills.

The piece was painted in 2017 by Manchester-based artist Qubek and is named after the artist’s late grandmother — “a real strong Yorkshire woman”, in his words.

• Location: 31 York Place, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 2BA (Google Map Directions)
• Year created: 2017

Artist Profile

Qubek is the studio name of Manchester-based artist Russell Meecham, whose work often combines wildlife, heritage and large-format wall painting. Winifred is one of his best-known pieces outside Manchester.

• Instagram: @qubekmanchester

Artwork Details

The elephant is shown front-on, draped in heavy decorative armour. The armour was inspired by the rare 17th-century elephant armour on display at the Royal Armouries on the other side of the river. Painted onto the armour are Yorkshire white roses and the rooflines of the city’s industrial-era textile mills, tying the elephant to Leeds rather than its Mughal-era source.

Context and Significance

Winifred is one of the trail’s quieter pieces — easy to walk past if you’re not looking for it. Qubek has said the choice of an elephant was partly personal (a tribute to his grandmother) and partly a way of using one of the most distinctive objects in Leeds to anchor a city-centre mural.

Commissioning Information

Commissioned privately by Property Alliance Group, the building owner, rather than by LeedsBID. The work was completed by 21 September 2017.

How to Find It

The mural sits in the small courtyard linking 31 York Place and 33 Park Place. Walk down the alley between the two office buildings — the elephant is on the far wall, easy to miss from the street.

Photography Tips

The courtyard is narrow, which limits how far back you can stand. A wide lens helps. Late morning gives the most even light on the painted side.

Additional Resources

• Qubek: @qubekmanchester

On the side of Munro House at 3 Sheaf Street, ‘The Linnet’ is a 12-foot painting of a small British finch — part of a body of work by anonymous London artist ATM that focuses on Britain’s threatened bird species.

The piece was painted in spring 2015 as part of ‘Human Nature’, a ten-day environmental art show curated by Charlotte Webster at Munro House Gallery.

• Location: 3 Sheaf Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS10 1HD (Google Map Directions)
• Dimensions: ~12 ft tall
• Year created: 2015

Artist Profile

ATM is an anonymous London-based street artist who paints almost exclusively endangered British birds. His work has been featured by The Guardian, the BBC and the RSPB, and his murals appear on walls in cities across the UK.

• Website: atmstreetart.com

Artwork Details

The linnet is rendered in soft pinks, browns and greys against a deep dark background, the small bird filling the wall like a portrait. Linnets were once one of Britain’s most common farmland birds; the RSPB now lists them as a Bird of Conservation Concern after a 57% UK population decline between 1970 and 2014.

Context and Significance

The mural was the centrepiece of ‘Human Nature’, a ten-day show (23 April – 2 May 2015) at Munro House Gallery exploring environmental themes. ATM’s piece sits across a corner of the building from Jane Laurie’s ‘Spix’s Macaws’, painted for the same exhibition.

Commissioning Information

Commissioned by Munro House Gallery as part of ‘Human Nature’, curated by Charlotte Webster.

How to Find It

The mural is on the Sheaf Street face of Munro House, near Duke Studios on Crown Point Road. Walk south from the city centre over Crown Point Bridge and the wall is on your right as you reach Sheaf Street.

Photography Tips

The wall faces a relatively narrow street, so a wider lens helps. Overcast light flatters the muted palette and avoids harsh contrast on the dark background.

Additional Resources

• ATM: atmstreetart.com

On the back wall of Sheaf St cafe at the rear of Duke Studios, ‘Tropical Birds’ is a vivid wildlife mural by Sheffield-based artist Peachzz — two oversized tropical birds in teal and orange, set against a hot pink and yellow ground that doubles as a hidden ‘S’ for the venue’s logo.

The piece was completed in 2021 and sits a few steps from ATM’s ‘The Linnet’ on a different face of the same Munro House building cluster.

• Location: 3 Sheaf Street (rear of Duke Studios), Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS10 1HD (Google Map Directions)
• Year created: 2021

Artist Profile

Peachzz is the working name of Megan Russell, a Sheffield-based illustrator and muralist who graduated from Sheffield Hallam University. Her work often features bold wildlife and tropical imagery in saturated colour palettes.

• Website: peachzz.co.uk
• Instagram: @_peachzz_

Artwork Details

Two large tropical birds flank the back wall, painted in teal blues and burning oranges over a pink and yellow background. The yellow forms loop together to spell out a stylised ‘S’ for Sheaf St when the wall is read as a whole — a visual logo baked into the artwork.

Context and Significance

The mural is one of three pieces clustered around the same Munro House building. ATM’s threatened-species ‘Linnet’ and Jane Laurie’s ‘Spix’s Macaws’ use birds to make a conservation point; Peachzz’s birds, by contrast, are joyful and unapologetically decorative — a deliberate counterweight in the same corner of the city.

Commissioning Information

Commissioned by Sheaf St — the cafe and event space run by Duke Studios at 3 Sheaf Street — to brand the rear elevation of the building.

How to Find It

Walk round to the back of Duke Studios from Crown Point Road. The mural takes up most of the rear wall and is hard to miss once you turn the corner.

Photography Tips

The back yard is enclosed; a wide lens or stepping back across the road helps you catch the full ‘S’ shape. Bright overcast is best — direct sun flattens the colour.

Additional Resources

• Peachzz: @_peachzz_

Moored on the River Aire just downstream of the White Millennium Bridge, ‘The Barge’ isn’t a wall mural — it’s a 100-year-old ex-Leeds-Liverpool Canal dredger painted top-to-bottom by Benjamin Craven and Jenny Beard, now used as the floating office of Yorkshire Design Group.

The boat was repainted in September 2019 and quickly became one of the most-photographed stops on the riverside walk.

• Location: 46 The Calls, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7EY (Google Map Directions)
• Year created: 2019

Artist Profile

Benjamin Craven and Jenny Beard are Leeds-based artists who collaborated on transforming the dredger’s hull. Craven also paints under the name ‘Two Times’ with Edan MF on Belgrave Music Hall’s gable end — a separate piece on this trail.

• Website (Craven): benjamincraven.co.uk

Artwork Details

The boat’s hull and superstructure carry a continuous illustrated scheme — bold lines, blocks of saturated colour, references to Leeds’ canal heritage. Because the painting wraps the whole vessel, the design changes as you walk along the riverside path; you only ever see one side at a time.

Context and Significance

The dredger was 100 years old when it was repainted, originally working the Leeds-Liverpool Canal. Bringing it back into the city as a working office (and canvas) is a small piece of canal-heritage reuse — and a reminder that the Aire is still navigable through the centre.

Commissioning Information

Commissioned by Yorkshire Design Group, the boat’s owner, with In Good Company curating the artist selection. Distinct from the Grey Heron mural on the bank just behind it, which was a Leeds City Council Waterfront Enhancement Fund commission.

How to Find It

Walk along The Calls riverside path from Leeds Bridge towards the Royal Armouries. The barge is moored on your right at 46 The Calls, beside the White Millennium Bridge.

Photography Tips

The White Millennium Bridge gives you a clean elevated view of the boat from above; the riverside path gives you the side-on profile. Mid-morning light catches the hull cleanly.

Additional Resources

• Benjamin Craven: benjamincraven.co.uk

On the side of 93 Mabgate, the ‘Mabgate Mural’ is the oldest piece on the Leeds Street Art Trail — painted in 1987 by community artist Janet de Wagt with a group of local school students who appear in the windows of the painting itself.

The mural has weathered hard over nearly four decades and is the subject of an ongoing restoration conversation between the artist and Leeds Civic Trust.

• Location: 93 Mabgate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS9 7DR (Google Map Directions)
• Year created: 1987
• Claim to fame: Oldest piece on the trail

Artist Profile

Janet de Wagt is a community-arts muralist who lived and worked in Leeds before returning to New Zealand in 1999, where she remains based. She has described her time in Leeds as her “apprenticeship” in public art.

Artwork Details

The wall is painted to look like a row of windows, each framing the face of a young person. The students who appear in the windows were the same young people who helped paint the mural — they are the documentary record of who lived in Mabgate when the piece was made. De Wagt has said her original plan was to paint a wider history of the area’s West Indian community, but the available historical material was too thin, so she pivoted to portraits of the people in front of her instead.

Context and Significance

Mabgate was a centre for Caribbean settlement in Leeds in the post-war period, and de Wagt’s mural is one of the few permanent records of that community on the streetscape. Its sheer age — painted on an outdoor brick wall in 1987 — means the surface has weathered substantially.

Commissioning Information

A community-arts commission delivered with local school children. Restoration is currently being discussed between the artist (with R&D support from a 2020 Jan Warburton Charitable Trust grant) and Leeds Civic Trust; no public timeline yet.

How to Find It

Walk up Mabgate from the Regent Street end. The mural is on the gable wall at 93 Mabgate, on your right just before Hope Foundry.

Photography Tips

Mid-afternoon light flatters the muted, weathered palette best. The wall is on a busy through-road, so framing without parked vehicles can be tricky.

Additional Resources

• Janet de Wagt: janetdewagt.co.nz

On a brick wall along Armouries Drive, ‘Faces of Leeds’ is a four-portrait mural by Sheffield-based artist Affix featuring four people closely associated with the city: playwright Alan Bennett, charity founder Sue Ryder CMG OBE, broadcaster John Craven OBE and Olympic boxer Nicola Adams OBE.

The mural was painted in 2021 alongside a companion ‘Wildlife’ piece a few metres down the wall.

• Location: Armouries Drive, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS10 1LE (Google Map Directions)
• Year created: 2021

Artist Profile

Affix is a Sheffield-based solo street artist working in spray paint, best known for portrait work and photo-realistic detail. He has painted multiple large pieces across Yorkshire.

• Instagram: @__affix_

Artwork Details

Four portraits run along the wall: Alan Bennett (playwright, Armley-born), Sue Ryder CMG OBE (founder of Sue Ryder care, born in Leeds), John Craven OBE (Newsround presenter, Leeds-born) and Nicola Adams OBE (two-time Olympic boxing gold medallist, Leeds-born). The piece was racially defaced in 2022 and subsequently restored — a reminder that street art on the trail is maintained as well as installed.

Context and Significance

The four subjects span playwriting, charity, broadcasting and elite sport — a deliberately broad portrait of who Leeds claims as its own. The piece sits beside the canal, within sight of the Royal Armouries, on a stretch of Armouries Drive that several other public artworks share.

Commissioning Information

Commissioned by Canal & River Trust as part of the Leeds Waterfront Enhancement Fund, managed by Leeds City Council.

How to Find It

Follow the canal towards the Royal Armouries from the city centre. The mural is on the brick wall on your left as you reach Armouries Drive, with the companion ‘Wildlife’ piece just beyond it.

Photography Tips

The wall faces north-east and gets soft morning light. Each portrait works as a standalone shot if you can’t get far enough back to fit all four in frame.

Additional Resources

• Affix: @__affix_

A few metres down the wall from ‘Faces of Leeds’, Affix’s ‘Wildlife’ is a companion piece celebrating the animals that share the city — a fox, a heron and an owl, painted at scale on the same canal-side stretch.

Like ‘Faces of Leeds’, it was completed in 2021 as part of the Canal & River Trust’s commissioning programme.

• Location: Armouries Drive, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS10 1LE (Google Map Directions)
• Year created: 2021

Artist Profile

Affix is a Sheffield-based solo street artist who works in spray paint. ‘Wildlife’ is one half of a paired commission with ‘Faces of Leeds’ on the same Armouries Drive wall.

• Instagram: @__affix_

Artwork Details

Three animals dominate the panel: a fox, a heron and an owl, all painted in Affix’s photo-real style. Each appears regularly along this stretch of canal in real life — herons fish from the riverbank near the Armouries, foxes move through the dock at night, and owls call from the trees on Aire-side. The mural is more documentary than fanciful.

Context and Significance

The piece pairs deliberately with ‘Faces of Leeds’ next door — humans on one panel, the animals that share the same waterway on the next. Together they make a small ecosystem statement on a stretch of the canal that has been heavily redeveloped.

Commissioning Information

Commissioned by Canal & River Trust, funded by the Leeds Waterfront Enhancement Fund and managed by Leeds City Council — the same chain as the neighbouring ‘Faces of Leeds’ piece.

How to Find It

From ‘Faces of Leeds’, continue along Armouries Drive towards the Royal Armouries. The animals appear on the same long brick wall, a few metres further along.

Photography Tips

The heron in flight is the easiest stand-alone shot. North-east-facing wall — soft morning light suits all three subjects.

Additional Resources

• Affix: @__affix_

On the gable wall of New York House on Harper Street, ‘Common Ground’ is a 15-metre mural by Leeds-based artist Mike Winnard with the words ‘Common Ground’ written in several of the languages spoken in the city, woven through Kirkgate-specific iconography.

The mural was painted over three weeks in August 2018 — not 2023, despite some sources tying it to Leeds 2023.

• Location: New York House, Harper Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7EA (Google Map Directions)
• Dimensions: ~15 m wide
• Year created: 2018

Artist Profile

Mike Winnard is a Leeds-based illustrator and muralist and a co-director of Assembly House Artist Studios. His work mixes hand-drawn illustration with bold lettering and is regularly seen on commissions across the north of England.

• Instagram: @mikewinnard

Artwork Details

The phrase ‘Common Ground’ is repeated across the wall in several of the languages spoken in Kirkgate — each rendition treated as its own piece of typography. Around and between the lettering sit small drawn-in details: Norse runes, bulldozers, flags, plants, animals — fragments of Kirkgate’s layered history pulled into a single composition.

Context and Significance

The mural was made for the East Street Arts ‘A City Less Grey’ programme, which has placed several large pieces around the Mabgate / Kirkgate / city-centre fringe. Sitting on the wall overlooking Kirkgate itself, ‘Common Ground’ is a deliberate response to one of the most multilingual streets in the city.

Commissioning Information

Initiated by East Street Arts under ‘A City Less Grey’, fully funded by LeedsBID, with the building owner Rushbond providing the wall.

How to Find It

Walk down Kirkgate from the Corn Exchange end. The mural sits on the gable wall of New York House overlooking Harper Street — visible from Kirkgate as you pass.

Photography Tips

The mural is best read from a few metres back across Harper Street. Late afternoon light flatters the lettering best; harsh midday sun bleaches the colour.

Additional Resources

• East Street Arts (A City Less Grey): eaststreetarts.org.uk

Under the A58(M) Inner Ring Road flyover on Wellington Street, the Josh Warrington mural by Manchester-based artist Akse P19 commemorates the night the Leeds boxer became IBF World Featherweight champion at Elland Road in May 2018.

The piece was painted in November–December 2020 — two years after the title fight — and carries Warrington’s quote, ‘I wanted to put Leeds on the map’.

• Location: Inner Ring Road flyover, Wellington Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 4PD (Google Map Directions)
• Year created: 2020

Artist Profile

Akse P19, real name Aleksei Shakirov, is a Manchester-based street artist known for large-format photo-realist portraits. He has also painted Leeds Beckett’s Rob Burrow tribute and ‘Paving the Way’ on The Calls — both already on this trail.

• Instagram: @aksep19

Artwork Details

The portrait shows Warrington mid-celebration, gloves up, the words ‘I wanted to put Leeds on the map’ painted alongside. The mural also carries the name of Leeds Cares, the Leeds Hospitals Charity that Warrington supports.

Context and Significance

Warrington won the IBF World Featherweight title at Elland Road on 19 May 2018 — only the second world-title fight ever held at the stadium. The mural commemorates that moment specifically, painted at a wall that is on the matchday walking route between the city centre and Elland Road.

Commissioning Information

Funded by 11 Degrees Clothing, Warrington’s apparel partner, and delivered with Leeds Street Gallery as curator. Unveiled in mid-December 2020.

How to Find It

Walk down Wellington Street from the train station. The mural is on the underside of the A58(M) flyover where it crosses the road — visible from both directions.

Photography Tips

Light under the flyover is uneven; an overcast day or early-evening shoot gives the most consistent result. The flyover gives the piece a permanent ceiling, so direct sun never reaches it.

Additional Resources

• Akse P19: @aksep19
• Leeds Cares: leedscares.org

In Aire Park on Meadow Lane, ‘Hibiscus Rising’ is a 9.5-metre bronze sculpture by Royal Academician Yinka Shonibare CBE RA — a permanent civic tribute to David Oluwale, unveiled on 24 November 2023 as the closing commission of Leeds 2023 Year of Culture.

The piece is technically a sculpture rather than a mural, but it is part of the official Leeds Street Art Trail and one of the most prominent public artworks in the South Bank.

• Location: Aire Park, Meadow Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS10 (Google Map Directions)
• Dimensions: 9.5 m / 31 ft tall
• Year created: 2023
• Claim to fame: Closing commission of Leeds 2023

Artist Profile

Yinka Shonibare CBE RA is a British-Nigerian artist whose work is held in major collections worldwide. He is best known for using Dutch wax-print fabric to interrogate questions of identity, colonialism and migration.

• Website: yinkashonibare.com

Artwork Details

The sculpture is a 9.5-metre bronze hibiscus — a flower from Shonibare’s Nigerian childhood — its surface decorated with the artist’s signature batik / Dutch-wax-cloth pattern in cast bronze. Hibiscus, in Shonibare’s words, stands for ‘beauty, love, empathy, passion’ — a deliberate framing of joy and renewal rather than memorial grief.

Context and Significance

The piece honours David Oluwale (1930–1969), a British-Nigerian Leeds resident whose drowning in the River Aire after sustained Leeds City Police harassment led to the first UK conviction of police officers for the death of a Black man. Two officers were convicted of assault. Oluwale’s footbridge sits a short walk from where ‘Hibiscus Rising’ now stands, and Maya Angelou’s ‘Still I Rise’ has been cited by the artist as a touchstone for the title.

Commissioning Information

Commissioned by the David Oluwale Memorial Association (DOMA), in partnership with Leeds 2023 and Leeds City Council, with major funding from Art Fund (£200k), Arts Council England, the Henry Moore Foundation, the National Lottery Heritage Fund (£48,588), the Scurrah-Wainwright Trust, the Earl & Countess of Harewood, and a public crowdfunding campaign.

How to Find It

Walk south from Leeds Bridge along the riverside path into Aire Park, on the former Tetley’s Brewery site. The sculpture sits in the park near the David Oluwale footbridge.

Photography Tips

The sculpture works from every angle — circle the base for the full pattern. Late-afternoon light catches the bronze warmly and shows the cast batik detail best.

Additional Resources

• David Oluwale Memorial Association: davidoluwale.org
• Yinka Shonibare CBE RA: yinkashonibare.com

On the gable end of Patrick Studios on Mabgate, ‘Force of Nature’ is a peacock mural by Cbloxx — the artist Joy Gilleard, half of the Nomad Clan duo — painted in spring 2022 for East Street Arts’ ‘A City Less Grey’ programme.

The piece is also widely known as the ‘Peacock Mural’ or ‘Marching Out Together’ — three names for the same wall — and reframes Leeds United’s historic peacock emblem as a celebration of the city’s LGBTQ+ supporters.

• Location: Patrick Studios, Mabgate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS9 7EH (Google Map Directions)
• Year created: 2022

Artist Profile

Cbloxx is the working name of Joy Gilleard, a Manchester-based street artist and one half of Nomad Clan (with AYLO). She paints solo as Cbloxx and as a duo as Nomad Clan — the latter is responsible for Athena Rising at the train station.

• Instagram: @cbloxx

Artwork Details

A full-feathered peacock fills the gold-ground of the gable, with the words ‘Marching Out Together’ arched above it and ‘We Are So Proud’ running below. The peacock is Leeds United’s historic emblem — the club has been ‘The Peacocks’ since the days of the old Peacock Ground at Elland Road — and the mural deliberately reframes that football iconography as a Pride symbol.

Context and Significance

The piece is named for, and celebrates, Marching Out Together, Leeds United’s LGBTQ+ supporters’ group. It sits on the busy A64 side of Patrick Studios — visible to a high volume of foot and vehicle traffic on the route into the city.

Commissioning Information

Commissioned by East Street Arts as part of ‘A City Less Grey’, funded by Leeds Inspired. Painted between 26 March and 10 April 2022.

How to Find It

Walk up Mabgate from the city-centre end. The mural is on the gable end of Patrick Studios — the East Street Arts building on the right as you head out of town.

Photography Tips

The gable faces the road, so a wider lens or stepping back across the carriageway gives the cleanest read. The gold ground glows in evening light.

Additional Resources

• Cbloxx: @cbloxx
• Marching Out Together: marchingouttogether.com

On a boarded ground-floor window of Munro House at York Street, ‘Spix’s Macaws’ is a small painted panel by Jane Laurie — working under the name Jane Mutiny — showing a pair of the blue Brazilian parrots whose real-world counterparts were declared extinct in the wild in 2000.

The piece was painted in 2015 for the same Human Nature exhibition that produced the larger Linnet mural around the corner.

• Location: Munro House, York Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS9 8AG (Google Map Directions)
• Year created: 2015

Artist Profile

Jane Laurie (working as Jane Mutiny) is a wildlife illustrator and muralist whose work has appeared on walls and book covers across the UK. The two names refer to the same artist — not two collaborators.

• Website: janemutiny.com

Artwork Details

A pair of Spix’s macaws — Cyanopsitta spixii — perch on a small painted panel filling a boarded-up ground-floor window. The species was the real-world inspiration for the animated film ‘Rio’; in the wild it was declared extinct in 2000, with reintroduction efforts in Brazil only beginning in 2022.

Context and Significance

The piece was made for ‘Human Nature’, a ten-day environmental art exhibition at Munro House Gallery in spring 2015 (23 April – 2 May), curated by Charlotte Webster. ATM’s 12-foot ‘Linnet’ on the Sheaf Street face of the same building cluster was the centrepiece of the same show — the two pieces are sister works, by different artists, on the same building.

Commissioning Information

Commissioned by Munro House Gallery as part of the ‘Human Nature’ show, curated by Charlotte Webster.

How to Find It

Walk along York Street from the city centre. The mural is at low level on a boarded window of Munro House — much smaller than ATM’s nearby Linnet, easy to miss if you’re moving fast.

Photography Tips

The panel sits at head height — close-up shots work well. The painted window box gives a natural frame.

Additional Resources

• Jane Mutiny: janemutiny.com

At the New York Street entrance to Kirkgate Market, ‘#Welcome’ is a large geometric mural by Sheffield-based artist Rob Lee that wraps the doorway in a 3D Victorian-inspired pattern — a separate piece from Nathan Evans’ George Street ‘Welcome’ on the other face of the market.

Rob Lee’s piece was commissioned in December 2019 and unveiled, after a Covid-paused paint run, on 26 June 2020.

• Location: New York Street, Kirkgate Market, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7DT (Google Map Directions)
• Year created: 2020

Artist Profile

Rob Lee is a Sheffield-based illustrator and letterer working from CADS Space Cadets in Sheffield. He won the 2019 Sheffield Design Award for Public Art for related work; his Leeds piece is one of his largest single commissions.

• Website: roblee.uk

Artwork Details

The piece wraps the doorway and surrounding wall in three-dimensional geometric panels referencing the Victorian decorative tilework of the market interior. The hashtag in ‘#Welcome’ frames it as a deliberately contemporary take on a Victorian welcome arch.

Context and Significance

The Kirkgate Market refurbishment programme placed several murals across the building between 2016 and 2024 — Rob Lee’s ‘#Welcome’ is one of two greeting pieces, designed to mark the New York Street entrance specifically. It is distinct from Nathan Evans’ earlier ‘Welcome’ on the George Street side.

Commissioning Information

Commissioned by Leeds City Council via an open CuratorSpace brief (deadline October 2019, £8,000 budget). Installed in stages between March and July 2020 because of Covid restrictions.

How to Find It

The mural is at the New York Street entrance to Kirkgate Market, on the eastern side of the building near George Street.

Photography Tips

The 3D effect reads best dead-on; step back across New York Street to catch the full geometry. Direct sun on the doorway can flatten the perspective — overcast light is kinder.

Additional Resources

• Rob Lee: roblee.uk

On the Merrion Place side of Belgrave Music Hall, ‘Tribute’ is a wall-high portrait of the rapper MF DOOM — by the duo Two Times (Benjamin Craven and Edan MF) — painted shortly after his death on 31 October 2020.

The piece pairs the rapper’s metal-mask profile with a couplet of lyrics; the same wall carries an unrelated abstract striped piece by another artist at the other end.

• Location: Belgrave Music Hall, Merrion Place, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 8JP (Google Map Directions)
• Year created: 2021

Artist Profile

Two Times is the duo Benjamin Craven (also responsible for The Barge on the trail) and Edan MF. Their work is concentrated around music venues and underground hip-hop reference points.

• Instagram: @twotimes____

Artwork Details

The mural shows DOOM in profile, his trademark metal helmet rendered in detail, with a couplet from his catalogue painted alongside. The wall it sits on is the side elevation of Belgrave Music Hall, looking out over the Merrion Place beer-garden and seating area.

Context and Significance

Daniel Dumile — MF DOOM — died on 31 October 2020 at the age of 49. The mural went up shortly after his death and is one of the more visible UK tributes to him on a public wall. Its placement on a Leeds independent music venue is deliberate — DOOM’s catalogue has long been a touchstone for the local underground scene.

Commissioning Information

Commissioned privately by Ash Kollakowski of Belgrave Music Hall — not a council or trust commission.

How to Find It

From the front of Belgrave Music Hall on Cross Belgrave Street, walk round to the Merrion Place side — the mural fills the upper half of the side gable.

Photography Tips

Merrion Place is narrow, so a wide lens helps. Evening light from the Merrion Centre side gives the cleanest read on the metal helmet.

Additional Resources

• Two Times: @twotimes____

Outside Hope Foundry on Mabgate, ‘Paving the Way’ is a pavement piece — not a wall mural — designed by Emma Hardaker (working as EV) with students from MAP Charity in summer 2021.

It shares its title with the existing Akse P19 ‘Paving the Way’ on The Calls (already on this trail). The two are unrelated works: this one sits on the ground, painted in anti-slip geometric panels, and is treated here as ‘Paving the Way (Pavement)’ to distinguish it.

• Location: Outside Hope Foundry, 65-69 Mabgate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS9 7DR (Google Map Directions)
• Year created: 2021

Artist Profile

Emma Hardaker, working under the name EV, is a Leeds-based illustrator and muralist with a background in workshop-led community projects. The piece was made under her ‘Open to the Public’ banner.

• Instagram: @emma_hardaker

Artwork Details

The pavement is painted in interlocking geometric blocks in a saturated palette, sealed with anti-slip outdoor floor paint. The design was developed in workshops with students at MAP Charity (Music & Arts Production), the youth arts charity that has occupied Hope Foundry on Mabgate since 2007.

Context and Significance

The piece is part of a broader effort to mark the Mabgate creative cluster on the streetscape — Hope Foundry is the centre of that cluster, with MAP Charity, Patrick Studios and the surrounding workshops. A pavement piece is unusual on the trail; most stops are wall murals.

Commissioning Information

Commissioned by MAP Charity in partnership with Leeds City Centre Management. Installed in summer 2021.

How to Find It

Walk up Mabgate from Regent Street. The painted pavement is on your right outside Hope Foundry, between numbers 65 and 69.

Photography Tips

The piece reads best from above — first-floor windows of Hope Foundry give a clean overhead view. From street level a low angle catches the geometric patterning.

Additional Resources

• MAP Charity: mapcharity.org

On the side of Headrow House, the bar and music venue at 19a The Headrow, the ‘Headrow House Wall’ is a long illustrated mural by Leeds collective Jack Of All Studio — gangly figures with the studio’s signature pea-shaped heads, painted in fluid dancing poses.

The mural was the trio’s debut commission, completed by July 2021.

• Location: 19a The Headrow, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6PU (Google Map Directions)
• Year created: 2021

Artist Profile

Jack Of All Studio is the trio Rosie Leather, Charlie Johnson and Megan Fell — three Leeds-based illustrators who work together on commissions. Rosie Leather’s distinctive ‘pea-headed’ editorial-illustration style anchors the mural’s character.

• Website (Leather): rosieleather.com

Artwork Details

Freehand figures with elongated limbs, small pea-shaped heads and bold flat colour are sketched in chalk first, then blocked in with paint. The piece reads as a continuous frieze of relaxed, mid-dance bodies.

Context and Significance

Headrow House is part of the same group of Leeds independent venues as Belgrave Music Hall (which carries the Two Times MF DOOM tribute) — the venue group has used murals on its building exteriors as a deliberate signature. The piece was Jack Of All Studio’s first big collaborative commission.

Commissioning Information

Commissioned directly by Headrow House. Not a LeedsBID or council piece — privately commissioned by the venue.

How to Find It

The mural is on the side of Headrow House, facing the alley off The Headrow. Walk down the alley between Headrow House and the neighbouring building to see it in full.

Photography Tips

The alley is narrow — wide-angle shots work best. Late-morning light catches the wall cleanly.

Additional Resources

• Rosie Leather: rosieleather.com

On the south-west wall of Mustard Wharf at Tower Works, ‘A Common Thread’ is a 300-square-metre mural by Leeds-based artist Zoë Power, unveiled in October 2023 as a tribute to the women who worked the original Tower Works pin and wool-comb factories on this site.

The piece was a joint commission by The Tetley and the developer Legal & General, curated by Yorkshire Contemporary.

• Location: Mustard Wharf, Tower Works, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS11 (Google Map Directions)
• Dimensions: ~300 sq m (20 m × 16 m)
• Year created: 2023

Artist Profile

Zoë Power is a Leeds-based illustrator and muralist whose work centres on women’s stories and the textile industries that shaped the city.

• Website: zoepower.co.uk

Artwork Details

A layered illustration in muted reds, ochres and creams runs across the south-west elevation, weaving textile motifs, factory-floor silhouettes and the figures of women workers. Power has said the piece deliberately surfaces the heavily female workforce of the local wool-combing industry, much of whose history goes unrecorded on the streetscape.

Context and Significance

Tower Works started in the 1860s as a steel-pin manufactory producing pins for the carding machines used in wool-combing — and the wider site became one of the centres of the Leeds wool-comb industry. The mural sits on the wall of Mustard Wharf, a build-to-rent development named for that history; ‘A Common Thread’ is its anchor public artwork.

Commissioning Information

A joint commission by The Tetley (the Leeds gallery and charity) and Legal & General Investment Management (Mustard Wharf’s developer), curated by Yorkshire Contemporary, with mural production by Blank Walls. Power was selected from a shortlist of four artists via an open call.

How to Find It

Walk south from the city centre across Leeds Bridge into Holbeck. The mural fills the south-west wall of Mustard Wharf, visible from Water Lane and the Tower Works square.

Photography Tips

The wall is large enough that you’ll need to step well back across the square for a full-frame shot. Late afternoon flatters the warm earth-tone palette.

Additional Resources

• Zoë Power: zoepower.co.uk
• Yorkshire Contemporary: yorkshirecontemporary.org

On the windows of the former Knight & Willson printworks on Water Lane, ‘Renaissance’ is a 1,700-square-foot mural by Leeds artist Ian Kirkpatrick, made of 32 Dibond aluminium panels fitted into the building’s empty window frames.

The mural was unveiled in April 2017 as part of the Leeds South Bank regeneration programme. The host building has been earmarked for redevelopment since — check before travelling specifically to see it.

• Location: Knight & Willson Building, Water Lane, Holbeck, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS11 (Google Map Directions)
• Dimensions: 32 Dibond panels, ~1,700 sq ft
• Year created: 2017

Artist Profile

Ian Kirkpatrick is a Leeds-based artist whose work uses bold graphic-design vocabulary on outdoor surfaces. His other Leeds public-art commissions include the Hare of Harehills (Lepus, 2017) at the Compton Centre.

• Website: iankirkpatrick.wordpress.com

Artwork Details

The piece is a ‘mind map’ of South Bank Leeds history, layered across 32 Dibond aluminium panels mounted in the building’s window openings. Kirkpatrick combines local landmarks — Bridgewater Place, the Candle Building, Temple Works, the old Holbeck Railway Station — with iconographic borrowings from Egyptian temple imagery, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Giotto, ‘Kubla Khan’ and the tarot. The unifying theme is renewal and rebirth, hence the title.

Context and Significance

The mural was commissioned to bring colour to a vacant printworks while South Bank regeneration was ramping up. It is unusual on the trail because the surface is panelled aluminium fitted into windows, not paint on brick — a semi-permanent installation rather than a fixed mural.

Commissioning Information

Commissioned by Leeds City Council under the Leeds South Bank programme, with installation by Dock Street Signs. Direct artist quote: he chose Dibond because it could be ‘transformed and resurrected’ — fitting for a piece about renewal.

How to Find It

Walk down Water Lane in Holbeck. The Knight & Willson Building is on your left; ‘Renaissance’ fills its upper-floor window grid. Water Lane has been heavily redeveloped since 2017, so check that the building is still intact before making a special trip.

Photography Tips

Step across the road to fit the full window grid into one frame. The reflective Dibond catches the sky — overcast days flatten it nicely.

Additional Resources

• Ian Kirkpatrick: iankirkpatrick.wordpress.com

On the side of Convention House on Mabgate, ‘To Be Or Not To Be’ is a recent mural by Palestinian artist Taqi Spateen, unveiled on 16 May 2024 as part of East Street Arts’ ‘A City Less Grey’ programme.

The piece shows two children with daisy imagery, framed by a Hamlet-borrowed title that the artist has tied to the question of whether to leave or to stay and fight.

• Location: Convention House, Mabgate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS9 (Google Map Directions)
• Year created: 2024

Artist Profile

Taqi Spateen is a Bethlehem-based Palestinian street artist whose work appears extensively on the Israeli West Bank wall and in international public spaces. His commissions include the George Floyd memorial on the separation wall.

• Website: taqispateen.com

Artwork Details

Two children dominate the wall, accompanied by daisy imagery — a flower the artist has linked to a Palestinian springtime motif. The title borrows from Hamlet’s soliloquy. In the artist’s own words, the piece is about whether to ‘go away and disappear or stay around and fight’ — framed through the eyes of the children depicted.

Context and Significance

Spateen is one of the most internationally recognised Palestinian street artists working today. His Leeds commission marks a deliberate gesture by the host programme to bring his work to a UK city audience. The artist has been arrested twice in connection with his West Bank work — in Bethlehem in 2021 and in Silwan in 2023.

Commissioning Information

Commissioned by East Street Arts as part of ‘A City Less Grey’, co-commissioned with the Leeds Palestinian Film Festival. Unveiled 16 May 2024.

How to Find It

Walk up Mabgate from Regent Street. Convention House is on the right; the mural fills the gable wall.

Photography Tips

Mabgate is a busy through-road; framing without parked vehicles takes patience. Soft daylight flatters the muted palette best.

Additional Resources

• Taqi Spateen: taqispateen.com
• East Street Arts (A City Less Grey): eaststreetarts.org.uk

Inside Kirkgate Market, the Leeds Caribbean Cricket Club mural by Jioni Warner is a 2025 tribute to the first West Indian cricket club founded in the UK — established at this very corner of the city in 1948.

The piece centres a black-and-white portrait of the club’s first team and pays specific tribute to co-founder Alford Gardner, who died on 1 October 2024 aged 98.

• Location: Kirkgate Market, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7HY (Google Map Directions)
• Year created: 2025

Artist Profile

Jioni Warner is a Leeds-born Black British artist working in portraiture, collage and photo transfer. She holds an MFA Distinction from Liverpool John Moores and previously contributed to The World Reimagined globe trail.

Artwork Details

A central black-and-white illustration shows the LCCC’s first team in their cricket whites — copied directly from the original 1948 photograph — flanked by panels in Caribbean red, gold and green. A flag-decorated suitcase and a domino tile to the corner reference the Windrush arrival; ’98 RIP’ beneath them is a tribute to co-founder Alford Gardner. ‘Leeds Caribbean Cricket Club’ and ‘Est. 1948’ are picked out in hand-lettered script.

Context and Significance

Leeds Caribbean Cricket Club, founded in 1948, was the first West Indian cricket club in the UK and is the longest-running Black-led organisation in Leeds. Members pooled ten shillings a week to buy gear; their new £500,000 pavilion opened in 2024. Co-founder Alford Gardner arrived in Leeds on HMT Empire Windrush in June 1948 and helped found the club from scratch with fellow RAF veterans Errol James, Hubert ‘Glen’ English and Charles Dawkins.

Commissioning Information

Commissioned by Leeds Museums and Galleries as part of ‘On the Pitch, Off the Pitch: Sporting Heritage in Leeds’, funded by a £210,665 National Lottery Heritage Fund Dynamic Collections grant. The commission produced five linked sporting murals across the city.

How to Find It

Enter Kirkgate Market and follow signs through the indoor market. The mural sits inside the building, near the trader stalls.

Photography Tips

Market interior light is mixed — overhead daylight from skylights varies throughout the day. The central team portrait works best as a tighter shot if the wider mural is hard to fit in frame.

Additional Resources

• Leeds Caribbean Cricket Club: leedscaribbeancc.com
• Leeds Museums and Galleries: museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk

In the Market Kitchen area of Kirkgate Market, ‘Change Is Upon Us’ is a large painted owl by Leeds artist Nicolas Dixon, surrounded by twenty-nine stars and overlaid with integrated LED lighting that activates the wall after dark.

The piece debuted on 7 October 2016 as the headline commission for that year’s Light Night Leeds.

• Location: Kirkgate Market (Market Kitchen area), Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7HY (Google Map Directions)
• Year created: 2016
• Claim to fame: Headline mural for Light Night Leeds 2016

Artist Profile

Nicolas Dixon is a Leeds-based muralist whose other public-art works in the city include the Pablo Hernández mural at Duck & Drake (already on this trail) and several pieces in the planned Leeds United Murals guide.

• Website: nicolasdixon.co.uk

Artwork Details

A large owl — the city’s mascot — fills the central panel, surrounded by twenty-nine stars representing the districts of Leeds. A purpose-built LED lighting rig is integrated into the wall and activates the painting after dark, turning the static mural into an evening light installation.

Context and Significance

The piece launched as the headline commission of Light Night Leeds 2016 — the festival’s first year running across two nights (6–7 October). It was unveiled inside a multi-disciplinary ‘We Are Universe’ set-piece featuring NSCD dancers, Leeds College of Music musicians, and a Motiv Productions time-lapse film of the three-week build.

Commissioning Information

Commissioned by Leeds City Council for Light Night Leeds 2016, with the LED rig and audio-visual design by VJ Oscar Barany of Leeds College of Art.

How to Find It

From the George Street entrance to Kirkgate Market, follow signs to the Market Kitchen — the mural is mounted high on the wall above the food stalls.

Photography Tips

The mural reads differently by day (paint only) and after dark (paint plus LED). Both are worth capturing if you have time. Indoor low light favours wider apertures or a steady hand.

Additional Resources

• Nicolas Dixon: nicolasdixon.co.uk
• Light Night Leeds: lightnightleeds.co.uk

On a wall at Kirkgate Market, ‘Rainbow of Hope’ is a community mosaic created in three phases through 2019 — a 12-foot rainbow with hope-themed words, a cluster of clouds with the message ‘every cloud has a silver lining’, and a white Yorkshire rose at the centre — led by mosaic artist Mary Goodwin under the Seagulls Reuse banner.

The piece was funded by the Leeds Inspired arts grant scheme and built with help from market traders, shoppers and Seagulls volunteers.

• Location: Kirkgate Market, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7HY (Google Map Directions)
• Year created: 2019

Artist Profile

The lead mosaic artist is Mary Goodwin (Mary Goodwin Mosaics), working with Seagulls Reuse — the Leeds paint-recycling charity co-founded in 2004 by Cat Hyde and Kate Moree.

• Mosaicist: marygoodwinmosaics.co.uk
• Seagulls Reuse: seagullsreuse.org.uk

Artwork Details

The mosaic was built in three phases. Phase one (March 2019) is the 12-foot rainbow, with hope-themed words tiled into the arc. Phase two added three clouds with the inscribed phrase ‘every cloud has a silver lining’, plus raindrops and a sun. Phase three, completed by August 2019, added a white Yorkshire rose, built at a public workshop with shoppers and volunteers.

Context and Significance

The project was deliberately participatory: Mary Goodwin spent a week running ‘conversations on hope’ with traders and shoppers before two weeks of open mosaic-making workshops on site. The aim was to give the market a piece of art that people had personally helped build.

Commissioning Information

Funded by a £12,000 grant from Leeds Inspired (the Leeds City Council arts-grant scheme), with material sponsorship from Palace Chemicals (Liverpool). Direct quote captured from Cat Hyde of Seagulls Reuse: ‘The mosaic scheme is about ownership of the area — people feel it brightens up the area.’

How to Find It

From the George Street entrance to Kirkgate Market, follow the signs through the market. The mosaic is mounted on a market wall.

Photography Tips

The mosaic surface picks up reflections of the market lighting; soft, indirect light gives the cleanest read. Close-up shots of individual phrases work as standalone images.

Additional Resources

• Mary Goodwin Mosaics: marygoodwinmosaics.co.uk
• Seagulls Reuse: seagullsreuse.org.uk

Inside Kirkgate Market, ‘Bat Wings’ (formal project title ‘The Alternative Heritage of Leeds’) is a mural by Leeds artist Johnny Cosmic of the band Midnight Vipers — bat wings spreading across a panel that frames the names of bands rooted in Leeds’ gothic and alternative scene.

The piece was unveiled on 15 October 2022 as the centrepiece of the inaugural Leeds Festival of Gothica.

• Location: Kirkgate Market, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7HY (Google Map Directions)
• Year created: 2022

Artist Profile

Johnny Cosmic is a Leeds-based artist and the long-time resident artist for Cosmic Slop. He works under the band name Midnight Vipers and has produced work for Northern Guitars, Outlaws Yacht Club and a string of independent venues.

• Instagram: @midnightvipers

Artwork Details

A pair of bat wings spreads across the panel, with the names of bands rooted in the Leeds alternative and gothic scene tucked into the feathered detail. The piece is formally titled ‘The Alternative Heritage of Leeds’ on the project record but is most often referred to (and listed on the trail) as ‘Bat Wings’.

Context and Significance

Leeds has a long alternative-music heritage — Sisters of Mercy played their first ticketed gig in the city in 1985; Salvation, the March Violets and the wider 1980s gothic scene all have Leeds roots. The mural sits inside Kirkgate Market, alongside the very different ‘Change Is Upon Us’ and ‘Rainbow of Hope’ pieces, giving the building a small sub-section of music-history work.

Commissioning Information

Commissioned by Leeds Festival of Gothica in partnership with Leeds Libraries, funded by Leeds Inspired. The design was chosen by public vote.

How to Find It

From the George Street entrance, follow the signs through Kirkgate Market. The mural is in the indoor section of the market, alongside the other Kirkgate Market pieces on this trail.

Photography Tips

The market interior has uneven light. Move slightly off-axis to avoid the brightest skylight reflections on the panel surface.

Additional Resources

• Johnny Cosmic / Midnight Vipers: @midnightvipers
• Leeds Festival of Gothica: leedsfestivalofgothica.com