A new exhibition by Leeds artist and performer Mik Artistik at Besbrode Pianos in Holbeck showcases a series of portraits of Leeds people. The portraits are of 15 strangers Mik has seen around Leeds on many occasions – at gigs, cinema queues and parties. He describes his subjects as “my magic people of Leeds, cheery sparks and crackly characters” who through chance encounters have intrigued Mik over the years. These large impressive canvasses, worked in mixed media, stand as social documentary of Leeds society and will be showcased in the month-long free exhibition.
Mik Artistik is a man of many talents! A Leeds-based artist, musician, comedian, writer and performance poet, he graduated from Bradford College and, despite these other artistic outlets, describes painting as his original passion. Mik Artistik has exhibited extensively throughout his career, including Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, Newcastle and London. He has exhibited a selection of large oil paintings at the Playhouse, Bradford, and in 2003 exhibited a self-portrait at the National Portrait Gallery, London.
Artistik also writes songs about his world, performing them with his band “Mik Artistik’s Ego Trip” with Jonny Flockton on guitar, Benson Walker on bass and Mik on mic and keyboards. Mik Artistik’s Ego Trip has drawn enthusiastic crowds at Glastonbury, Latitude, Leeds, Port Elliot Festival’s and bars and clubs throughout the North of England.
The exhibition is open from 10am – 4pm every day from 6th May-6th June.
Besbrode Pianos, 39 Holbeck Lane, Leeds LS11 9UL
For more information on Mik Artistik visit:
www.mikartistik.com/
