Leeds graduates to showcase their work at Leeds Print Workshop

Graduate Award in Printmaking residency artists host special exhibition.

Leeds graduates Abigail Egwunyenga and Tilly Eckersley are set to showcase their work in a special exhibition at Leeds Print Workshop this month, as part of the Graduate Award in Printmaking offered by East Street Arts, the University of Leeds and the workshop based at Vicar Lane.

The show will take place from Wednesday 26th to Sunday 30th September from 10.30am to 4.30pm each day, and is open to the public. University of Leeds graduates, Abigail and Tilly were selected to undertake a residency as part of the inaugural Graduate Award back in July. Abigail has recently completed a Degree in Art and Design, while Tilly graduated from the Fine Art course. Both artists have spent six weeks at Vicar Lane developing new work and accessing professional development support from those within the sector.

Abigail (whose work is pictured) works primarily with textiles. During the residency, she has focused on developing a professional style of traditional textile printing and her understanding of arrangement, repetition and colour in textiles. Tilly has spent her time at the print workshop learning new approaches to printmaking, focusing on enhancing and developing themes she explored during her degree.

Hannah Vallis, East Street Arts Programme Manager, said: “It’s been great to have Abigail and Tilly in residence with us at 130 Vicar Lane. It is extremely important that we retain graduate talent in the city and the residency provides the students with a first key step outside of university in their artistic careers. We can’t wait to see what they’ve produced during their time with us.”

Dr Chris Taylor, Senior Lecturer in Fine Art at the University of Leeds said: “The residencies have been a wonderful opportunity for students from the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies, and the School of Design to continue developing their art practice in a professional environment, supported by quality printmaking facilities, technical training and mentoring. We are confident that Abigail and Tilly’s achievements will be an inspiration to our new and current students and graduates.”

For more information about Abigail and Tilly, see their Instagram accounts: @tillyeckersleyart and @egwunyenga_abigail_art