Portfolios Archive – Art Hostel

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Sayang

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Sayang

“Rooting”

Sayang is a Malaysian British DJ and sound artist who uses sound and space to explore intersections of gender, race, queerness and access. They are particularly interested in reflecting on their experiences of disability and post-colonial Malaysian Trans identity.

They make music for dancefloors and deep thinking. In sound design, they often look to their roots from Penang Malaysia with field recordings, modular synthesis and electronic emulations of familiar noises, and connect it to their British childhood in electronic music, from film soundtracks to EBM, acid and new wave.

Their activism is an extension of their sound, connecting audiences and intersections through queer theory and explorative conversation with a focus on access for QTIBPoC, queer disabled and Trans folx. Founder of the QTIBPoC, queer disabled and Trans centred techno-fetish party, Flesh in Tension and custodian of Leeds KiKi House, House of Flava, Sayang has carved a home behind decks, on stages and in facilitating queer space in music and the arts. They are a Rinse FM resident, Love Muscle resident and some of their recent highlights include playing Body Movements Festival, SWEAT Copenhagen and creating audio visual film/sound piece “Found Me // 3am” with Humber Street Gallery and filmmaker Tony Lee.

“My idea was to create a sensory, sound focused space, with sound and visuals creating a sense of comfort and respite. A predominant thought in its creation was, finding my sense of stability and ground again when I feel out of place, and out of sync in a new space.”

Sayang

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Jesse Wright

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Jesse Wright

“The Wooly Ewe”

Creating, building, making all with my hands and seeing an idea come to fruition, truly empowers me. Using whatever material I can source locally, gaining understanding, testing its limits and playing also help me to feel a sense of ownership over my surroundings. After uprooting from Australia as an interior designer and installation artist in 2015, my practice has continually morphed and diversified into creating street puppets in Spain and the USA, theatre set in South Korea, interior design in the UK and Australia, and carpentry in Italy, Israel and Mexico.

The Wooly Ewe is a highly considered living space. Comfortable, cosy, functional and beautiful. 380 woolen tiles are woven to the ceiling using garments found on local streets. Copper walls nod to old industry, while bright blue teals sampled from copper patina, frame the ornate windows. A row of tiny sheep in pride colours sit on little shelves. Wool gathered from nearby fields, hand dyed and installed in old found drawers sit at the end of a bed. A portrait of a Ewe made from woolen scraps hangs by the doorway.

“I wanted to inspire others to see value in old textiles while giving a nod to Leeds woolen history. The ingenuity of mankind to process natural fibers into cloth amazes me, so the room is also a celebration of the sheep and our ongoing relationship.”

Jesse Paul Wright

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Mandy Barker

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Mandy Barker

“Ocean Galaxy”

International award-winning photographic artist whose work involving marine plastic debris over the past 10 years has received global recognition. Working with scientists she aims to raise awareness about plastic pollution in the world’s oceans whilst highlighting the harmful effect on marine life and ultimately ourselves.

The aim of my work within the space is to engage with and stimulate an emotional response in the guest by combining a contradiction between initial aesthetic attraction along with the message of awareness. The impact of marine plastic is an area I have documented for more than 10 years and am committed to pursuing on many different platforms. In the case of the Art Hostel I hope the space will be an invitation for a relaxed stay with a message, and that people will go away remembering the experience, mindful of the issue, that will ultimately lead to positive action in tackling this increasing environmental problem, which is currently of global concern.

The room is based around a galaxy of suspended footballs, giving the impression that the guests themselves are part of a unique solar system. The footballs are in fact marine plastic pollution, a total of 992 marine debris balls recovered from the world’s oceans in just 4 months. 769 footballs from 41 different countries and islands and from 144 different beaches, by 89 members of the public. Surrounding walls of the room show collections from Europe, the United Kingdom, and a recovery of 228 balls by one person. Laying in bed looking at the ceiling reveals the global collaboration of over 769 footballs collected by the world’s public.

The FIFA World Cup was the catalyst for the creation of this project to be able to raise awareness during an international sporting event.

PENALTY is the name of the series with the double meaning; PENALTY is a punishment for breaking a rule in the game of football, and in relation to this project, a PENALTY is the price we will all pay if we do not look after our oceans by managing the over consumption of plastic and becoming responsible for its disposal.

“The FIFA World Cup was the catalyst for the creation of this project to be able to raise awareness during an international sporting event. ”

Mandy Barker

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Mohammad Barrangi

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Mohammad Barrangi

“Living in a wonderland”

Mohammad Barrangi was born in Rasht, Iran, in 1988. Now based in the UK, he is both a globally recognized artist and a medal-winning athlete who has represented Iran internationally in the 100m sprint. Born without full mobility in his left arm, Barrangi has developed a unique artistic practice that utilizes his right hand and both feet to create his distinctive works. Blending traditional calligraphy with experimental mark-making techniques, Barrangi combines elements of Persian calligraphy, storytelling, text, and touches of humour to create intimate works on handmade paper that are selectively expanded into large-scale murals.

Barrangi holds a degree in graphic design from the Islamic Azad University of Tonekabon and recently graduated from the Royal Drawing School in London. Barrangi has extensively exhibited his work around the world, winning numerous awards and recognition that has led to the prolific publication of his illustrations in a variety of books.

His works have been acquired by the permanent collections of the British Museum, the Royal Family Collection, the National Government Collection in the UK, the San Diego Museum of Art in the USA, as well as the Cluj Napoka Art Museum in Romania.

“In the creation of this room I wanted to use the subject of immigration and combine this with an imaginary world centred around illustrations echoing travel and exploration as well as my own lived experiences”

Mo

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Mary and Jiem

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Mary and Jiem – Association Lux

“It’s up to you”

We originally come from a graffiti background and for that reason we love exploration and drift in all kind of territories and first of all in urban spaces. We are curious about local communities stories and History, and our work is a lot connected to collective identities.

We see ourselves and our interventions as tools for people and we define our duo as two lovers working as public artists. Our practice is diverse and if we love to paint in public spaces, we have a studio practice too, which we love to share with people.

This room is a tribute to these movements which have built the local alternative History of the city. Threw a wide selection of posters, flyers and graffiti shown on a permanent street-like installation, the traveller makes a time travel to the Leeds’ past and recent history. We want to give some keys to understand a little bit more the city of today, and a wider point of view to the whole country too.

“Our main inspiration for the hostel room is the local History, the Leeds alternative movements from the 1980s, in both cultural and political levels..”

Mary and Jiem

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Emma Bentley-Fox

Take a look at the warm and nostalgic Honeymoon Suite…

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Emma Bentley-Fox

“The Honeymoon Suite”

Emma Bentley Fox is an artist living and working in Leeds, proud ‘Mom’ with Party Mom Society (PMS) and studio holder at Convention House, East Street Arts.

My practise spans from visual artist & photographer, to organiser, Producer and Party Mom @partymomsociety.

I enjoy working with kitsch objects and pop culture imagery, exploring ideas of taste, nostalgia, sexuality, gender, femininity, performative identities and care. I like my work to be imbued with humour, playfulness and a deep respect for the references I’m drawing from.

I often shoot on film, and my photography work is, intimate, joyful, surreal, and a way of documenting my experiences – particularly navigating the queer communities of Leeds, and exploring identity through portraiture.

Archives, particularly forgotten, personal, family or on niche subjects, hold great interest for me. I am interested in place-making and community building, and I see my work as both Party Mom and organiser/Producer, as extensions of my artistic practise, and another place for me to use my personal experiences of marginalisation, alongside continual learning and research, to create space and opportunities for others.

Care and compassion are central to my practise, and values I try to embed in any and all of the work I do, whilst working with others, and also myself. As an artist with experiences of chronic illness, discussions around Disability and access are increasingly becoming central to my understanding of both my own practise, and how I engage and work with others.

“My practise spans from visual artist & photographer, to organiser, Producer and Party Mom @partymomsociety.”

Emma Bentley-Fox

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1. Rooting By Sayang

Recharge and centre yourself in this sensory haven

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From £80 for the whole room

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Ground floor
2 x Single twin beds
Rear facing window
Accessible ensuite shower room
Bed linen & towels supplied
Non allergy pillows
Free Wi-Fi

“My idea was to create a sensory, sound focused space, with sound and visuals creating a sense of comfort and respite.”

Sayang

“Rooting”

Fully Accessible Private Twin

Rooting is a private twin room situated on the ground floor with a fully accessible ensuite shower room. The bedroom contains a motorised platform adjustable bed and support handles to allow easy access for less mobile guests, an additional single bunk bed, and Smart lighting, music, projections & blinds. Wifi is available for free & linen and towels are provided with the beds pre-made.

Rooting is a space to gather your thoughts, centre and ground yourself when visiting a new city, or space. It is a nourishing room, one that considers your needs and is welcoming towards and created for Disabled guests (inclusive of mental health, neurodiversity and chronic illness). The room responds and listens to you, it’s dappled light, softness, and earthy tones making it a truly calming sanctuary.

The room also aims to be a beautiful and indulgent space where disability is considered first and in every possible aspect of its creation. The artist Sayang was able to speak to brilliant Disabled artists and peers in the research phase of this room, which was fundamental in shaping its final form. The room almost lives, breathes, speaks and listens to you, as every element possible is smart controlled and responsive to your voice. Sayang was inspired by the nature that surrounds us and wanted it to feel earthy, soft and organic.

Sound, colour and touch are key elements in the space. With a focus on sensory respite, Sayang has developed an audio visual and sensory experience that will feel unique to every guest. This experience will interact with the entire room; on selection, the lights will change, visuals will appear on the ceiling and a soundscape will be played. Options include: headphones only, no sound, visual only and no visuals. This is an optional element to the room, and helps to form its identity in other ways such as wall colour, fabric, feel and design.

Impressed with the amazing design of this wonderful room?

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2. Ziggy Wingle by Alison Smith

Want to stay in this fun and interactive room?

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“Ziggy wingle”

8 Bed Dorm

From £28 per bed

in a shared room

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Ziggy Wingle is an 8 bed dorm room; a spacious ground floor room with custom designed and built bunk beds. There are plenty of windows providing lots of natural light. Each bed has its own personal lamp and power point. There is secure storage to keep your belongings safe and wifi is available for free. Bed linen is provided and the beds are pre-made.

In response to the theme of ‘Fun’ artist and maker Alison Smith has worked with pupils from local school Shakespeare Primary to design and produce this playful space. The children took inspiration from games, puzzles, toys and abstract paintings, learning about abstract shapes and how we interpret them, both through play and in art. They experimented with shapes and patterns to create designs for a playable wall; a huge pegboard wall covered in colourful wooden shapes which can be moved around to make different designs. The children also designed a colour changing neon light, and playful shelving with wooden games and houses.

Release your inner child and play with shapes in this bright, colourful space!

I often work with light and recycled materials, making large sculptural light installations which are exhibited at festivals and events across the UK. Some pieces take inspiration from organic forms and biological processes, informed by collaborations with scientists, while some explore traditional craft processes, or the life cycles of materials and concepts of value.

Alison Smith

Secure Storage
Free Wifi
Shared Bathroom Facilities
Individual Bedside Lamp & Power Point
Bedding & Linen Included
Original Artwork & Design Features

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3. It’s Up To You by Mary & Jiem

Want to stay in this beautifully crafted room?

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“It’s Up To You”

6 Bed Dorm

From £28 per bed

in a shared room

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This ground floor 6 bed dorm is a bright and good sized room with custom designed triple-hight bunk beds and large windows providing lots of natural light. Each bed has its own personal power point and reading light. There is secure storage to keep your belongings safe and Wifi is available for free. Bed linen is provided and the beds are pre-made. Shower facilities and toilets are shared and available on the first floor.

It’s Up To You is a permanent installation created by Mary and Jiem of the Wanderlust Social Club. Its main purpose is to pay tribute to the 1980s youth culture and social struggles in Leeds.

The room is a tribute to those movements which have built the local alternative history of the city. A wide selection of posters, flyers and graffiti shown on a permanent street-like installations has been created to make the traveller time travel through Leeds’ past and recent countercultural history. Mary and Jiem wanted to provide opportunities for guests to understand a little bit more the history of Leeds and how it got us to today, as well as a wider view of the whole country.

We originally come from a graffiti background and for that reason we love exploration and drift in all kind of territories and first of all in urban spaces.

Mary and Jiem

We originally come from a graffiti background and for that reason we love exploration and drift in all kind of territories and first of all in urban spaces.

Mary and Jiem

Free wifi
Secure Storage
Shared Bathroom Facilities
Individual Bedside Lamp & Power Point
Original Artwork & Design Features
Bedding & Linen Included

travel through time to Leeds’ past and recent history through a wide selection of posters, flyers and graffiti shown on a permanent street-like installation.

MEET THE ARTIST

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