Winners Announced for Local Arts Competiion

Three local artists are celebrating an opportunity of a lifetime this week, having won the concept art competition for Britain's most pioneering low-carbon, sustainable development - to design bespoke pieces which will feature at the award winning Leeds site, as well showcasing some of their existing pieces in the on site gallery.

As part of the launch activities which unveiled Greenhouse earlier this month, the competition, to put forward a design concept, generated wide interest from across the region, and due to the high standard of entries, the prize, originally only intended for one artist, has been expanded to include the concepts of 3 lucky winners.

The Design Concept winners are: Origami artist Giles Edsall, 30, and furniture designer Laura Wellington, 25, both members of Artsmix, which supports and promotes the work of emerging artists, along with Greenhouse resident and wildlife illustrator, Hannah Jones.

Concepts included 'On a Wing and a Prayer' from origami artist Giles Edsall, who commented: “As this is a green development, I wanted to make the work out of as much recycled material as possible. Obviously I must take a slight detour from my usual work in that Origami is definitely not weather proof, although I do not plan to abandon this entirely. The intention is to take a cast of the origami birds for the piece and then to make multiple birds from bonded recycled crushed glass.” It is intended that this piece will feature in the Courtyard area of Greenhouse.

Furniture and lighting designer Laura Wellington, proposed to create furniture for the Greenhouse onsite deli, and explained: “My personal approach to design is to recycle, repurpose or reinvent. This philosophy is all about creating other uses for items that mankind had made for one reason or another, and are no longer needed for that purpose. The process of repurposing something old into something new is an exciting prospect and increasing the longevity of an item is a key factor within my designs.”

Illustrator and printmaker Hannah Jones concept was 'Creatures' – Illustrated creatures living and hiding in Greenhouse, as a safe environment from global issues concerning climate change and conservation. She said: “I wanted the project to be achievable in a short space of time but one that can develop over time. Animals will appear and disappear, and be replaced by statistics of how they are or aren't surviving. The animals live in a variety of places; inside people's post boxes, creeping under doors of apartments, under cars in the car park amongst many others.”

The concept winners are joined by a further 2 entrants: photographers Luke Musharbash and Daniel Thurbron, who won 6 months gallery space.

The competition helped form part of what will become an annual event celebrating Beeston's regeneration, taking local community members as well as potential residents on an access all areas tour of the development to see exactly how the eco-ethos of the building is embedded into every aspect, from the sun being used to heat hot water, wind being used to power lights and lifts, and rain and waste water being recycled to flush toilets.

Citu, the Leeds based developer behind Greenhouse, is devoted to supporting the growth of the Beeston community, an element of the development which was highlighted by it's search for local creative talent. Officially opened at the beginning of the month by local MP and DEFRA Secretary Hilary Benn, entrants artistic displays were showcased in front of local businesses, press and community minded individuals – generating fantastic exposure.

Gallery space winner Luke Musharbash added “Citu has helped connect me to a different audience, which has so far been very successful – I have received numerous enquiries since my work has been on display at Greenhouse. It's great that they're going above and beyond the development stage to form an alliance and in some ways an emotional connectivity with the community to the project.”

Fraser Stride, Marketing Director of Citu, said: “The launch generated an incredible community feel around Greenhouse – something we wish to develop further. We're excited about developing the concepts with the winning artists, this will definitely give Greenhouse further individuality and support creative talent from across the region.”

Amy Bewick, General Manager of Artsmix, who provide sales and development platforms for Leeds artists and supported Greenhouse, commented: “Artsmix is dedicated to supporting and promoting local artists and designers. We help to create that link between them, the public and the business community by sourcing commission and exhibition opportunities as well as running a successful market and events programme.

There is so much talent in the region and collaborating on projects such as Greenhouse helps to provide invaluable sales and development platforms for our emerging artists and designers.”

Greenhouse is located on Beeston Road, and comprises of 166 studio, one, two and three bedroom homes, together with offices, a free onsite gym, deli, landscaped gardens and courtyard.
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Notes to Editor
Pic1 attached – Giles’s concept design
Pic2 attached – Hannah’s concept design
Pic3 attached – Hannah's market stall
Pic4 attached – At Greenhouse. L-R: Amy Bewick (artsmix), Laura Wellington (furniture designer), Fraser Stride (Citu), Mark Jaffe (photographer), Mike Oakes (artist), Giles Edsall (origami artist)
High res images of Greenhouse available on request
Fraser Stride is available for interview
Local artists available for interview

For more information please contact
Jamila Juma-Ware
Chocolate PR
0113 236 1835
jam@chocolatepr.co.uk