New art-filled audio tour on campus
Grab your headphones and explore the University’s public art with the new audio trail.
The University of Leeds has housed public art pieces for the last century, proudly displaying bold sculptures, intricate stonework and inspirational statues on campus. Now, fascinating audio interviews newly accompany this collection, with insights from artists, their families and industry experts.
As you explore the 21 sculptures, friezes and installations, scan each QR code to unlock the audio. Poet, playwright and performer Rommi Smith will be your guide as she interviews artists and specialists on the inspiration, thinking and personal tales behind the work.
Creator of the large rotating ‘Converse Column’ on Woodhouse Lane, Liliane Lijn shares the concepts behind her creation. Friend of Eduardo Paolozzi muses on how the artist’s thoughts about science and art manifested in the making of ‘Master of the Universe’, and son of sculptor Austin Wright reminisces about his father’s “incessant” sketching during family holidays to Cornwall.
The vast collection of public art displayed on campus, including work by Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore and Simon Fujiwara, is free and accessible to all. The pieces have been carefully created to reflect the University as a site of knowledge and discovery.
We hope that the public art audio trail will encourage people from Leeds and beyond onto our campus, to explore and interact with the incredible diversity of art and architecture here. For students, staff and visitors alike, we think the wonderful variety of interviews that we’ve assembled will open a fresh outlook on our University environment, provoke contemplation and offer a deeper understanding of our growing collection of public art.
To help you navigate the trail, download a map (PDF) or collect a free physical map from The Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery and The Treasures of the Brotherton Gallery, in the University’s Parkinson Building.
The full series of interviews, and audio description of each piece, is available to listen to in a playlist.
