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Pretending to be a mermaid: artist Michelle Leon explores new ways of working

  • Date: 24 February 2010
  • Region: Yorkshire
'Surfacing' by Michelle Leon

'Surfacing' by Michelle Leon. Photo: Conrad Cookson

A Leeds-based artist's life affirming exploration of new ways of working, carried out in collaboration with a small group of fellow artists, formed the basis for a visual arts exhibition shown recently in Wakefield.

Pretending to be a mermaid and other stories featured new work by Michelle Leon working with Paul Farago, Conrad Cookson and Nick Claiden.

Michelle, an exhibiting artist for more than twenty years, originally made large scale sculptures using found objects, mixed media and wood. The diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in 1991 led her to change her practice and work with printmaking and, more recently, collage.

Creating the work in her latest exhibition, Michelle explored and developed new techniques and ways of working in a collaborative process with three other artists, who also offered physical and technical assistance.

Much of Michelle's previous work and imagery acted as a starting point and catalyst for the new pieces which reinterpreted, reconfigured or used only parts of them to produce new work which was developed by all the artists involved.

Some of the pieces from which the inspiration was drawn were shown alongside the new work in the exhibition, which took place at The Art House from November 2009 to January 2010.  The project and exhibition were supported by a Grants for the arts award from Arts Council England, Yorkshire.

Jennifer Hallam, Visual Arts Officer, Arts Council England, Yorkshire, said: 'In her quest to find new ways of working, Michelle and her co-artists produced a fascinating exhibition, that once again affirms how an artist's individual creativity and the artistic community can find positive ways forward and expand the horizons of their own and others' artistic practice when faced with incredibly challenging circumstances.'

The Art House is a unique national membership organisation for visual artists that campaigns for equality of access to opportunities for work, training and exhibiting for both disabled and non-disabled artists equally.  It opened its new studio building in Wakefield in July 2008, housing 12 resident artists and welcoming artists from the UK and abroad for short residential visits.

For more information visit Michelle Leon or The Art House

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