Leeds Modernist visited Clifford Stead’s remarkable exhibition ‘Retro Leeds’ at Cole’s Gallery in Kirkgate Market.
‘Retro Leeds’ utilises a wealth of photographic material, captured by Stead's colleague from the Leeds Civic Trust, David Hick. Shockingly, this rare glimpse of 1970s Leeds was almost thrown away, considered to be “just pavements and the past”! Fortunately, the collection remains and has been animated with vivid colour, glitter and gloss enamel paint. In the images, Stead makes visible the bright interiors and bustling lives of the communities inhabiting the concrete structures.
The exhibition, located in the heart of Leeds, celebrates the city and an era where its infrastructure was charged with social intention.
Pop down to Cole’s Gallery in Kirkgate Market before the exhibition ends on Friday 18th September 2020!