See What's Out There Artists 2014
With over forty portfolio submissions it was a tough call selecting this year’s See What’s Out There artists. Art is a personal thing; what floats my boat might sink yours; and explains why our panel spent a rowdy morning in amiable disagreement to reach their decision. The selected artists present a range of contrasting styles and the final artworks will be printed in April to spread the word about the Leeds Inspired website during the lead up to Tour De France. The brief we set our four artists is very open so we may, or may not, see a few bikes appearing on the See What's Out There artwork.
Rachel Davey is a fan of weird worlds and sickly sweet colours. Her illustrations usually begin as something overheard and spiral into a peculiar parallel universe of strange creatures and giddy patterns. We'd like to bring one of her creatures to life and let it become part of the Leeds Inspired team.
Anna Peaker is a graphic artist based in Leeds producing work for independent/d.i.y promoters, musicians and record labels. Her artwork mixes geometric forms with collage to create surreal spaces and windows into other worlds.
Caroline Pratt creates her signature mid century inspired imagery using traditional, hand crafted processes like monoprint, papercutting, screen-print and linocut. Many of the natural shapes and patterns found in Caroline's work are informed by her experiences of growing up in rural Shropshire.
Dan Dowker cites a life time of watching cartoons as being one of the biggest influences on his design work and we think he might have watched a bit of Pink Panther along the way. A recent graduate from Leeds Met, Dan is also part of Liverpool collective The Critter Shed.
Rachel, Caroline, Anna and Dan were selected by Amber Smith (Leeds Print Festival), Lee Goater, Leanne Buchan (Culture&Sport), Jane Earnshaw (Leeds Inspired), Abby Dix-Mason (Leeds Inspired) and Charlie (aged 9). Big thanks everyone who shared their portfolios with us for this year's See What's Out There commission.