Me and 23
A Year of Culture is about stories. Some of the people involved share their experiences here.
Stories from 2023
LEEDS 2023 was a team effort and people participated in a myriad of ways. Read and listen to some of the stories, connections and relationships created through our Year of Culture.
"Being part of LEEDS 2023 gave me an incredible opportunity to grow and develop as an artist."
Emma Hardaker
Visual Artist
Emma is a dynamic visual artist based in Leeds. She is a versatile creator working across multiple disciplines, from murals to large-scale installations. In 2023, she secured a commission for the Women of the World Barn project, with a view to sparking discussions on gender equality across West Yorkshire. She decorated The Barn with 300 visually distinct tiles, one for each of the women, girls and non-binary people involved in building it. The beautifully coloured 3D wooden tiles – though challenging to make – reflected her abstract style and brought together themes from workshops and conversations she had with the Barnraisers.
International collaborations
Explore the stories and the wider impact of LEEDS 2023 with collaborations with artists and organisations from all over the world.
Explore the full programme
Three seasons, one story. This was LEEDS 2023.
Awakening - Jan to Apr
Playing - May to Aug
