Zine by History of Art student Robin Stones selected for exhibition at Sunny Bank Mills
BA History of Art student Robin Stones is one of 27 artists to have work displayed in a new Zine Library at the 'Many Hands' exhibition at Sunny Bank Mills in Leeds.
Running until 5 October, Many Hands: Class, Community and the Changing Face of Industry is Sunny Bank Mills Gallery’s first major group photography exhibition.
Created in collaboration with Working Class Creatives, the show explores the role that industry plays in shaping community, identity and tradition.
Many Hands weaves together historic and contemporary photography to examine the lived experience of class not just as an economic category, but as something felt in the clothes we wear, the meals we make, the words we us and the ways we carry our past.
Artist Czesław Siegieda in the Many Hands exhibition at Sunny Bank Mills. Photo by Harry Meadley.
The work in the exhibition spans from the 70s to the present, documenting the experiences of communities in Scotland, the North East, the West Country, the Midlands and Bradford.
Many Hands features work by acclaimed and emerging artists including Amber Brown, Czesław Siegieda, Ian Beesley, Joanne Coates, Kirsty Mackay, Kelly O’Brien in collaboration with Devon Osborne, Nudrat Afza, Sean O’Connell in collaboration with Flornicate and Victor Wedderburn.
Zine Library at the Many Hands exhibition, Sunny Bank Mills, 2025. Photo by Harry Meadley.
Standing alongside the exhibition is a Zine Library which features 28 zines by 27 artists – including 'Keadby 1 from a train' by University of Leeds student Robin Stones.
An open call for the Zine Library was launched in June, with the hopes of representing more UK based photographers and artists as part the Many Hands exhibition.
The call encouraged applications from both emerging and established artists creating zines, artists’ books, publications and more.
The final selection of work ranges from work on disability rights and family histories to explorations of community, loss and the state of some of the UK’s major (and fringe) industries.
Zine Library at the Many Hands exhibition, Sunny Bank Mills, 2025. 'Keadby 1 from a train' by Robin Stones is second from the left on the middle shelf. Photo by Harry Meadley.
Robin Stones is currently between the second and third year of a BA History of Art degree in the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies. Robin is a self-taught artist from rural North Lincolnshire who has recently been experimenting with found objects and photography.
His work often deals with contradictions found within nostalgia, heritage and worth.
Cover of Robin Stones' zine, Keadby 1 from a train (2025).
Robin said:
'Keadby 1 from a train' is a short zine featuring photographs I take of the Keadby Power Station as I pass the site on the train each week to work.
“The photographs are then printed through a thermal receipt printer and scanned to create the focal point of each page.
“Representing many journeys, the zine ultimately ends with a printed ticket for a cancelled train.”
Robin Stones, Keadby 1 from a train (2025). Zine. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Robin’s zine is a continuation of ‘Keadby 1’ which was selected for the Leeds Summer Group Show 2025.
Robin was one of 55 artists to have work featured in this year’s show which ran from 3 to 23 July at Leeds Playhouse.
Robin Stones, Keadby 1 (2025). Thermal print receipt paper, old wooden tabletop, metal tacks, 82.55 x 58.42cm. Photo courtesy of the artist.
More information
Many Hands: Class, Community and the Changing Face of Industry is open in the Gallery, Sandsgate Building, Sunny Bank Mills, Farsley, LS28 5UJ until 5 October, Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm. Closed on Mondays. Free entry.
Full details can be found on the Sunny Bank Mills website.
Find out more about the Many Hands exhibition and Zine Library exhibitors.
Feature image
Zine Library at the Many Hands exhibition, Sunny Bank Mills, Leeds. Photo by Harry Meadley.
