Harley Young Artists: Speaking in Symbols with Ian Kirkpatrick

In this workshop, young people aged 11-16 will explore Ian’s exhibition – delving deeper into his world of street signs, bright colours, and dystopian worlds.

Using his artworks as a springboard, they will learn how to tell stories with pictures, and express their ideas about the past, present and future. Crafting their own images out of reflective vinyl, they will build up a collective design that explores their hopes, fantasies and fears for the future. This outdoor mural will then be displayed outside the Harley Gallery for the duration of the exhibition.

The Harley Young Artists series gives young people a chance to work with professional artists. It is an opportunity to develop skills and gain an insight into a range of creative careers.

Canadian-British artist Ian Kirkpatrick uses graphic design software to produce intricate 2D and 3D artworks out of materials including stainless steel, corrugated cardboard, embroidery, fabric, Perspex and Dibond.

Based in Leeds, Ian’s influences span from ancient cave art and Greek amphorae to graffiti and computer graphics. He has exhibited his work across the UK and internationally, with invited shows in New York, Chicago, Montreal, Berlin, Rome and London.

Since 2017 Ian has been working in the public sphere, producing large-scale murals and sculptures for clients including the London 2012 Olympics, the Tour de France and the Oxford Museum of Natural History.

Drop your child off for this session in the Harley Gallery.

Host or Publisher The Harley Foundation