Top street artists descend on Leeds Dock to support transformation

 

Some of the most talented street artists in the north of England have come together to create a series of one-off pieces of street art, as work begins to enhance and re-energise Leeds Dock, the waterfront area located on Leeds’ South Bank.

New Dock street art 01The 26 strong collective, led by Leeds-based CBloxx, one of the world’s top female street artists, have been commissioned by the owners of Leeds Dock, Allied London, to bring more than 100 metres of dull building hoarding to life. Working from one of the soon to be renovated indoor spaces at Leeds Dock, renowned stencillists, painters, illustrators and graffiti writers have spent the last three weekends creating their own artistic masterpieces, themed around the idea of change and new identity.

Once complete, their designs will be put on public display on 19 June to form a huge strip of art which will mask construction work taking place over the coming months to transform the existing space into some of the most exciting and desirable work and play space anywhere in the UK.

This work is part of a bigger project by owners Allied London to give Leeds the waterfront destination it deserves, by transforming Leeds Dock, formerly Clarence Dock, into a vibrant, must-visit destination which is home to creative and innovative industries and a thriving social scene.Work is already underway to develop new and exciting workspace, and activity is expected to begin over the coming weeks and months to create new public gardens along the main approach to the waterfront, as well as tiered grass banks which will provide additional seating areas for forthcoming outdoor events.

Lucy Whalley, project co-ordinator for Allied London, said:

“Leeds Dock will offer people a vibrant and social environment where work meets play, so when we heard that hoardings were being erected, we started to think about what we could do to turn something that’s typically visually boring into something much more appealing.

“Fortunately, Leeds is full of creative talent so, working with CBloxx, we’ve been able to draw on some of the UK’s best street artists to commission a giant work of art which should certainly bring a splash of colour to Leeds Dock.

“Over the coming weeks and months, people can expect to see a real transformation taking place at Leeds Dock, as work progresses to create the exciting, lively waterfront destination that Leeds has always lacked. A string of exciting events are already planned for the area and people can expect to see many more as we work to create a new and vibrant destination in city.”

Artist CBloxx, real name Joy Gilleard, said:

“Street artists are always looking for new spaces to showcase their art, and, for us, 100 metres of blank hoarding serves as the perfect canvas.

“I’m really excited to be able to bring together some of the biggest names on the UK’s street art scene to help create what I’m confident will be a mesmerising strip of art, and support Leeds Dock on its journey to becoming an exciting place to work and play.”

The hoardings will be erected in time for the launch of the Leeds Waterfront Festival on the weekend of the 28 and 29 June, which will see a variety of events for all the family taking place at Leeds Dock, including Dragon Boat racing, live music, street entertainers and food and craft markets.

People will be able to vote for their favourite work of art by visiting Leeds Docks’ Facebook page, with the artist behind the most popular piece winning a prize of £200 from Allied London.

The website, www.leedsdock.com contains all the latest information on forthcoming events taking place at Leeds Dock.