Developer and Asset Manager, MEPC’s successful Artist’s Window series returns for a third instalment to 4 Wellington Place, with a collaborative project between two Leeds Arts University students.
Inspired by the Japanese collaborative poetry genre, Renga, #STRANGEBRICKS combines poetic fragments with photographs of the city. The pertinent piece of work captures the loss that people may have experienced during the pandemic.
Taking inspiration from residents of Leeds and their surrounding community, the piece was built from their experiences of the city, and how these words clashed with the artist’s own experience of Leeds since the onset of the pandemic.
The winning artists, Maisie Baker and Midge Ryall first met whilst studying on the MA Creative Practice course at Leeds Art University.
Speaking of the installation, Maisie and Midge, said: “We were both over the moon to have been chosen to display this work at Wellington Place. Through sharing via social media, we hope the piece will become a digital body of work with a life of its own, encouraging others to add their own lines to the poem. Our goal was to create something that could serve as a source of comfort for the inhabitants of Leeds, and a reminder of the importance of community in times of loneliness. We think it's important for businesses to build community responsibility and providing a platform for local artists is a great way to do this.”
Dominique Simcox, head of customer experience at MEPC, added: “The Artist’s Window series has been hugely popular across the Wellington Place development, and we know that Maisie and Midge’s design is going to be a great addition. We absolutely love the design and the inspiration behind it. This artwork is completely different to the previous winners so we’re excited for the public to engage with the it.”
