Rugby League will feature in an art exhibition at Leeds Town Hall to celebrate the Rugby League World Cup coming to Leeds and one of the sculptures on show will kindly be donated to Leeds Rugby Foundation.
On the Edge – the moving body in rugby and sport will feature ceramic sculpture by Leeds artist Mandy Long that captures the movement and physicality of sport. The exhibition will include several pieces featuring Rugby League, as illustrated below and will be opened by Keith Senior, the former Leeds Rhinos star who has won every honour in the English domestic game.
Mandy held a very successful exhibition at Headingley Carnegie Stadium in 2012, which led to one leading sports coach of Olympic medal winners to comment, “every sports stadium should have an art gallery”. One of Mandy’s works featuring football was recently presented by Bournemouth FC to Real Madrid at a pre-season friendly with the famous Spanish club. The free exhibition is organised by the Leeds Rugby Foundation arts programme and funded by Leeds Inspired through Leeds City Council.
Mandy Long’s work is inspired by sports spectating and by photo-journalism. Her figurative sculptures pause time, allowing the viewer to absorb and appreciate the strength and energy of physical movements in the flurry of competitive sports. The exhibition features sportspeople playing rugby, football, and competing in synchronised swimming and gymnastics.
Cllr Lucinda Yeadon, Leeds City Council’s executive member for Leisure, said: “This is a really imaginative and innovative exhibition which I’m sure will capture the imaginations of sports fans and art lovers alike. As a huge admirer of Mandy Long’s work, I’m really looking forward to seeing what she has created with a bit of inspiration from the Rhinos and I’m sure it will really show the passion and excitement we have for the Rugby League World Cup here in Leeds.”
Further details, images and interviews from Fran Graham fran@spaceacademy.co.uk / 07815 790189.