Pyramid View On… John Atkinson Grimshaw
Pyramid has partnered with Leeds Art Gallery to create an artistic response that celebrates the inspiration of dusk turning to night-time in John Atkinson Grimshaw’s work.
This artistic response features original artwork created and curated by Pyramid member artists, inspired by the distinctive nocturnal scenes of 19th-century Leeds-born artist John Atkinson Grimshaw.
The project celebrates the atmospheric transition from dusk to night-time, a recurring theme in Grimshaw’s work. Pyramid member artists will also be running workshops in the Artspace (check website for details) to support visitors to create their own Atkinson Grimshaw-inspired artwork. Activities include using words as prompts to create your own artwork, making shadow puppets and contributing to an exhibition piece (see more details about the workshops below!).
Artistic Response Details
Where? Artspace, Leeds Art Gallery, The Headrow, LS1 3AA
Date: 14 November 2025 – 19 April 2026
Booking: No need to book, just turn up!
Access: Please see Leeds Art Gallery Access Guide for detailed information: https://museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk/access-at-leeds-art-gallery-s4q2
The Visioning group will be running three family-friendly, inclusive creative workshops on 25 November, 2 and 9 December. Read more about the activities below. If you can’t make a session, you can find instructions for the activities and materials in the Artspace while the artistic response is running!
Activity one: What do you see in the window?
The Visioning group were inspired by John Atkinson Grimshaw’s paintings of buildings at nigh-time to create their own sculptural silhouette. The group allowed their imaginations to run wild, illustrating colourful “windows” which they added to the sculpture. Audiences are welcome to create their own “windows’ to add to this collaborative art piece.
Activity two: Shadow puppets
The Visioning group were inspired by the beautiful silhouettes that appear throughout Grimshaw’s night-time paintings and spent time making their own silhouettes from black card. The group enjoyed casting shadows with their creations and creating stories around these. Audiences are welcome to join in and create their own shadow puppets, the lighting in Artspace is perfect for bringing them alive!
Activity three: Drawing prompts
Visioning group member James loves writing lists. Grimshaw’s paintings inspired him to make a huge, beautiful list which is written on a watercolour background decorated like the night sky. Every word from James’ list is in a top hat. Audiences are welcome to reach in to select a drawing prompt and create a picture inspired by James’ vivid imagination.
Workshop Details
Where? Artspace, Leeds Art Gallery, The Headrow, LS1 3AA
Dates: 25 Nov, 02 Dec and 09 Dec
Times: 1-3pm
Booking: No need to book, just turn up!
Access: Please see Leeds Art Gallery Access Guide for detailed information: https://museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk/access-at-leeds-art-gallery-s4q2
The artistic response will run alongside Don’t Let’s Ask For The Moon…: Nocturnes and Atkinson Grimshaw, a major show in the main gallery exploring nocturnal themes in Grimshaw’s work and contemporary responses.
