Blenheim Walk Gallery is pleased to present Mixed Up: Music and the Art School, an exhibition exploring the profound and often unconventional relationship between art education in Leeds, and local and global music culture. Opening on 14 February 2025 the exhibition promises a rich and immersive experience.

Drawing from the groundbreaking research in Gavin Butt's acclaimed book, No Machos or Pop Stars: When the Leeds Art Experiment Went Punk, the exhibition delves into the connections between 1970s and 80s punk and post-punk DIY culture and the teaching practices of three art schools in Leeds—Jacob Kramer College (now Leeds Arts University), University of Leeds, and Leeds Polytechnic. This synergy helped shape the radical, boundary-pushing sounds of Leeds’ music scene, causing lasting international significance.  

From iconic post-punk bands like The Mekons and Gang of Four, to synth-pop pioneers Soft Cell, Mixed Up traces how Leeds became a hub for hybrid forms of artistic expression and experimentation, with each institution contributing to the city’s cultural identity. 

Mixed Up features contributions from key post-punk, electro, and experimental artists presenting an engaging mix of archival materials, artworks, photographs and recordings. Together they create a multisensory experience that celebrating the enduring dialogue between visual art education and music culture. 

At the heart of the exhibition is a recreated analogue sound studio, originally designed for art students to experiment with sound and performance art. This unique installation highlights the dynamic intersection of visual and sonic arts, offering both students and the public the chance to explore its creative potential. The studio will be available for student use throughout the exhibition and open to the public during two curated sessions. 
An accompanying public programme includes a panel discussion, a performance, and interactive sound studio sessions. The programme brings together artists, musicians, and academics to explore the historic and contemporary intersections of art education and music culture, posing the question: ‘What is the ongoing entanglement of art and music today?’

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Marianna Tsionki, University Curator said: 
“Mixed Up: Music and the Art School is an exciting collaboration with Professor Gavin Butt that celebrates the dynamic relationship between art education and music culture in Leeds. Through the recreated sound studio, we’re inviting our visitors to experience the blending of visual and sonic arts firsthand. The exhibition honours the city’s rich artistic legacy while exploring how art schools continue to inspire bold creative possibilities. We’re thrilled to bring this energy to our audiences and student community!”

Mixed Up: Music and the Art School is open from 14 February – 17 April 2025 at the Blenheim Walk Gallery, Leeds Arts University. 

More information, including full opening hours can be found at www.leeds-art.ac.uk/mixed-up