Former photography student returns to Leeds City College as artist-in-residence

Kelly Culver studied at Leeds City College back in 2010. She’s now back to showcase her creative talents as artist-in-residence.

We caught up with her to find out more about her work and her plans for the college.

What did you get up to after college?

 I graduated from Leeds Beckett University with a BA in Fine Art and have since had lots of different jobs but I mainly come from working in galleries which has ranged from installing large scale exhibitions to leading family workshops.

I also co-run a studio and project space in the centre of Leeds called serf. In the last few years, I’ve had a commission from the ArtHouse, exhibited work across the UK and I am an artist associate with The Tetley.

How did your interest in art develop?

 I’ve enjoyed art since childhood. When I moved to Leeds, I decided to study photography at Park Lane Campus. I knew I wanted to do something creative and at the time that’s what interested me the most. From there, I went to study fine art and after graduating, I spent my time building on my practice and having a studio.

What projects will you be working on at the college?

I’ll be working across the sites on lots of different projects throughout the year, at the moment I’m still navigating my way around and in conversation with different people about initial ideas.

What inspires your work?

I work with a variety of mediums such as sculpture, text, performance and collage, but it all revolves around the idea of movement and the everyday. I often work more site specific or with an environment in mind. I like to focus on small details that might occur in that space and think about how they can become something bigger.

What are you most looking forward to?

Working in different spaces, and even challenging myself with what might happen as an outcome. I hope to have students involved in some of the projects and I’m excited to see what they bring.

It’s nice to return to the college as an artist after studying here when I was first finding my direction.