A joyful entrance into a historic setting at Leeds Corn Exchange

The creative programming at Leeds Corn Exchange seeks to support talented regional artists. We worked with artist April Key to commission a piece of neon sculpture to light up the main entrance into one of the cities most prized landmark buildings.

Artist April Key’s practice explores the relationship between architecture, memory, and light. This neon installation, titled ‘Sky, Sun, Clouds’ is inspired by the fluidity and movement of the natural world, which resonates with the beautiful architecture of Leeds Corn Exchange.

The Corn Exchange was built for the trading of natural seasonal products. The flowing forms of this work gracefully twist and curve, blending the colours seamlessly like tendrils of wind or whirls of water inviting views into this captivating transitional glow. The artist’s work serves as an interpretive visualisation of the weather fluctuations recorded in the landscape of Yorkshire, reflecting the frequently changing conditions that characterise the region.

The light installation is intended to encourage visitors to engage with their surroundings more deeply and heighten their senses, thus becoming more responsive to the historic architecture. Viewers may recognise subtle similarities between the forms in the artwork and the buildings interior features.

The Corn Exchange still stands as one of Leeds’ most cherished landmarks and was built in the mid 19th Century by the legendary architect Cuthbert Brodrick, also responsible for Leeds Town Hall. Leeds Corn Exchange is a place where the identity and vibrancy of Leeds’ culture shines.

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www.april-key.xyz