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Love of Leeds

About the Project

Love of Leeds is a creative and celebratory photographic essay that documents the explosion of sport and culture which hit the city in 2019. It's just fabulous that Leeds can attract and host such amazing international events, but what's even more profound is how communities benefit from these events, and the array of creative and compassionate community groups that operate in the city literally changing lives and saving lives. The focus of this project was also around the cultural diversity of the city, its communities and its reputation for being a Northern powerhouse and perhaps the fastest growing city in the country.

The world’s eyes were looking at Leeds from many different perspectives this 2019, with world sport and the celebration of culture at the heart of it in a way never seen before, with a plethora of truly exciting events.

This project was captured in a book and now in an incredible photographic exhibition at Leeds City Train Station.

The largest of it’s kind and of unprecedented size, I have been working with Network Rail and have collaborated to create a 225-meter exhibition of work from the project ‘Love of Leeds’. The 2019 photographic project was a celebration and recognition of the amazing people, organisations and community groups within Leeds and now they will be the starring role in this gigantic, visual masterpiece installed within Leeds City Train Station.

The photographic installation will be unveiled on 11th December at Leeds City Train Station, Platform 16 for all to see and enjoy. A team of specialist installers are using state of the art material for the digital printing of 22 images. They for working for over a week to transform the whole length of the station back drop on Platform 16 into a captivating and inspirational gallery of work from the project ‘Love of Leeds.’ Measuring 225 meters long by 3 meters high they will adorn the length of the platform in a never been seen before exhibition of its size at any UK train station.

The team at Network Rail Leeds and I have collaborated on this unique idea and are thrilled that they are able to bring an exhibition of work which will bring a much needed reminder of the city and its people, a sense of hope, resilience and true celebration of all that Leeds has to offer during such an unprecedented year.

The year of 2019 really was the perfect storm, an explosion of sporting and cultural events all being proudly hosted and happening in Leeds in an unprecedented concentrated way. Our photo journalist Jude, has been given access to a whole variety of events such as Tour De Yorkshire, UCI World Cycling Championships, Northern Ballet, Leeds Pride, World Cricket at Headingly, World Triathlon, Leeds International Film Festival just to name a few of the events Leeds is hosting and showcasing. The imagery is focused on behind the scenes and it will shine a light on work that is going on within many organizations in Leeds that perhaps doesn't normally share the spotlight alongside big performances and events.

A couple of years ago Jude documented the sport of Triathlon in Leeds and one of the questions driving that project was ‘how does Leeds keep producing these amazing athletes?’ And in a way this project is asking the same question but from a much broader perspective.

‘Love of Leeds’ is a project which will capture the synergy and impact world renowned events has on the city and the direct impact these events have upon its communities in terms of their passion, support and commitment to this amazing city.

All the cultural diversity is so rich in Leeds and this project will be a platform to highlight the communities, the people and the love that people have for this Northern giant which continues to surprise and define what a city should be to all those that live here.

Jude's camera will shine a light on this city and its people like never before...

Cllr Judith Blake, Leader of Leeds City Council and Jude conceived the idea for this project together, this is a wonderful creative collaboration between Leeds City Council and Jude Media Agency...

Captured

Moments

Our latest photos are featured below and are being updated often so check back soon ...

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Our Sponsors

Shoosmiths LLP set up in Leeds in 2016 and has since grown from strength-to-strength. The firm operates from 13 locations across the UK, has 943 legal advisers and 191 partners. It's turnover in the year ending April 2018 was £128.5m.

Redline Specialist Cars established in 2008 has come a long way in its 20-year history.

Starting off at a small site in Pool in Wharfedale, Redline is now one of the biggest independent prestige and performance car dealers in the UK operating from a superb purpose-built facility in Knaresborough. Redline was the UK’s fastest growing independent car dealer in 2017, according to Motor Trader magazine.

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Partners

This book will be full of images from the wonderful partners who have contributed to this book. We cannot thank them enough!

There will be many more added as we go through the year, and we will add them to this list, but all will get a special mention in the book.

South Asian Arts
Leeds Becket
University of Leeds
Northern Ballet
Leeds Playhouse
Opera North
Leeds United
Leeds United Trust
Leeds Rhino
Leeds Rhino Foundation
Row Leeds
Screen Yorkshire
Channel Four

Leeds Sports Awards
British Triathlon
Tour De Yorkshire
Cricket World Cup
Yorkshire County Cricket
Leeds Young Filmmakers
Leeds Community Foundation
Yorkshire International Sculpture
West Indian Carnival
Leeds Pride
Leeds Festival 2019
Transform Festival
Kaiser Chiefs

Kay Mellor
Yorskhire Vet
Brudenell
Brownlee Brothers
Go Tri
Leeds Piano
Phoenix Dance company
Bike Hub
Music Leeds
UCI World Cycling
Leeds Light

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