New contemporary artwork brings nature into iconic setting at Leeds Corn Exchange

A striking new artwork at the Grade I listed Leeds Corn Exchange has been revealed, following a nationwide call out which saw more than 60 entries from artists and creatives to transform the building's historic iron staircases.

The winning ‘greenhouse’ design by Cat Barrett, a talented watercolour artist based in Ilkley, offers a contemporary display of flora set against the backdrop of the building’s iconic domed interior. Cat used acrylic inks and fluid acrylics to create a greenhouse scene, inspired by her favourite tropical houses in the UK, such as Palm House at Kew Gardens and Camellia House at Bretton Hall.

The artwork commission call out was led by Yorkshire-based property investment company Rushbond, which has owned the Leeds Corn Exchange since 2017, in partnership with Curator Space, an artist-led platform which helps curators and art organisers engage directly with artists across the UK.

Georgina Maud, Arts and Creative Development at Rushbond, said: “We are proud custodians of some of the city’s more cherished heritage buildings, and we understand the importance of using art and culture to create a new sense of place. This is the third time we’ve commissioned an artistic intervention to give a fresh look and feel to the staircases and we were overwhelmed by the incredible number of entries to our call out.

We chose Cat’s beautiful design as we loved the way it brought a sense of the natural world into a traditionally urban setting. We hope it will offer visitors a new way to engage with this place, which has such a significant history, as we continue to look at ways to champion its present and future as a place where creativity is not only celebrated but cultivated.”

Cat, who studied Fine Art at Batley College of Art and Design, uses her background in graphic design and talent with watercolours to craft hand-drawn visuals that can be printed on a large scale, blending human and digital elements to produce beautiful natural scenes.

Cat said: “I am so excited to have won this commission and to see my artwork displayed on the historic staircases. My greenhouse-themed pieces are light and filled with windowpanes, complementing the Corn Exchange roof and drawing the viewer's gaze upwards. From a distance, the plants and foliage are visible, and up close, the enlarged artwork reveals intricate textures and paint drips. I hope my artwork brings a calming, natural ambiance to this stunning space.”

Cat’s artwork will be displayed for up to three years and will serve as a backdrop for numerous events this summer, including the world’s first MONOPOLY Leeds Takeover, a city-wide version of the iconic board game featuring life-size tokens located across the city including Leeds Corn Exchange, which runs until 1st September 2024.

Rushbond regularly commissions artists to enhance the already iconic aesthetic of Leeds Corn Exchange and future plans include a striking neon installation by artist April Key, which will be displayed in the main entrance space in the autumn. The company, which has breathed new life into a portfolio of heritage buildings across Yorkshire, is also set to embark on a programme of refurbishment on a series of units on the ground floor of the Leeds Corn Exchange, providing more businesses an opportunity to put down roots in this historic building.