Cornucopia

Guest blog by Rebecca Roberts

Cornucopia, definition ‘an abundant, overflowing supply’ is a new event taking place in The Leeds Corn Exchange. The idea came about following a previous food related event, Good Food Friday, created by Nick Julian of Primo’s Gourmet Hotdogs. Good Food Friday was so well received that Nick felt it should be repeated, however, having his own businesses to run Nick felt it could be managed to greater advantage by a dedicated events team, in came Nick and Rebecca of Shelf Life, a strategic sales organisation, launched earlier this year in Leeds.

The event has its own website where you can read all about the variety of produce, it was a key aim to ensure a great mix and not to have too many of one product, we think we have achieved that aim with products ranging from the brand new Lavender and Rose Jams, through to fabulous favourites Sunshine Bakery, some products are becoming well known in Leeds, The Yummy Yank with her delicious cakes, the moreish Canadian Nanaimo Bar, Soups from Thistle Mist, Organic from Swillington Farm, all of the products are locally produced, this really is food mile heaven.

However, this post is not JUST about promoting the event, we’ve tweeted it to death already; this is about the name and the incredible significance of that.

When deciding what to call the event we struggled for a while, we loved Emporium but felt that might not be appropriate for the venue, given recent history, Leeds already has an award winning market and three fantastic farmers markets so that was out, then Nick, out of the blue said ‘Cornucopia’ we loved it immediately and the name was secured.

A chance tweet, from Emma I think, pointed out that Cornucopia was the name of the spectacular Mural, adorning the wall of buildings on Kirkgate, towering over the very un-glam bus terminus. Following tweets asked if it was still there and I have to admit I hadn’t noticed it, but when I did look up wow! It certainly is and I wanted to know more.

The artist is Graeme Willson, probably the UK’s leading mural artist, with a distinguished track record which stretches back over 25 years, beginning with his prize-winning work for the Sunday Times/Arts Council competition “Art into Landscape” held at the Serpentine Gallery in London. He has also been the recipient of numerous awards and commissions, most notably from the Arts Council of Great Britain (l979 Art in Public Places), York Minster (1979, 1980 and 1994 respectively), the London Arts Council (1983) and the RSA Award for Architectural Collaboration (1992). He has also received the Royal Academy Award for Mural Painting for his work at St. Paul’ Church in Thamesmead in 1984

In 1989, Graeme was commissioned to paint the ‘Cornucopia’ mural which is executed in the ‘Keim’ system of silicate paints, an extremely durable conservation paint system. The work was completed in autumn 1990 and unveiled by Patrick Nutgens who said, of the artist
“His paintings do not replace, de-nature or dissolve the wall; neither are they arbitrary easel paintings hung on it. Each is completely integrated into the architecture for which it is intended, with an enviable and exemplary alertness to the key features of its surroundings and to their potential for reassembly into powerful original composition.”

Browsing Graeme’s website, provided me with much of the background and CV detailed here, however, I was still intrigued so called him for a chat, he was extremely accommodating and kindly sent me an update, along with his thoughts on the Leeds art scene.

Graeme was actually born near Thirsk and spent several years living in Leeds, Chapeltown during the riots to be precise! I asked Graeme for his thoughts on the Leeds art scene to which he replied
“I think the provision is superb and I go regularly to concerts, opera, playhouse and galleries. The City Art Gallery has really blossomed and the restored tiled restaurant is stunning, almost upstaging the gallery! Plus the Henry Moore Centre. My only regret is the lack of a decent independent gallery where contemporary artists can display and sell their work, so I am watching with keen interest the new developments opposite the bus station, i.e. the ‘Leeds Gallery’ “
Leeds City Art Gallery currently has two of Graeme’s works on display and other public works can be seen around the region, most notably Ceiling Painting in St. Cuthbert’s Chapel in York Minster.

Cornucopia is now 21 and we hope that every visitor to our event will take a moment to look up, just as they approach the Corn Exchange, it would be lovely to have a collection of thoughts and photography to commemorate this milestone, maybe added as comments to this article?

Cornucopia the event at Leeds Corn Exchange takes place 22nd & 23rd October 10 -4pm