£1,500 commission to interpret the story of St Margaret of Antioch.

We are commissioning five artists £1,500 each to interpret the story of St Margaret of Antioch (the name sake for the former church we occupy). 

This exhibition will see new interpretations of St Margaret of Antioch for audiences to consider as part of the heritage of our building. The resulting exhibition will run 15-20 September to coincide with Heritage Open Days. 

FEE

£1,500 will be paid to each artist/collective selected as a fee and contribution towards materials (£1,000 in advance and £500 upon successful completion). The artist/collective will own the artwork and will be asked to collect it after the exhibition closes. 

DATES

8 JULY 2018             
Deadline for submissions 

MID JULY 2018           
Selection panel to inform applicants of decision     

15-20 SEPT 2018      
Exhibition open 10am-4pm daily (coincides with the weekend of Heritage Open Days)

19 SEPT 2018           
Panel discussion: Artists Reinterpreting Heritage

20 SEPT 2018           
Collection of work at 5pm

VENUE
Left Bank Leeds is a multidisciplinary arts venue set in a Grade II* listed former church building on Cardigan Road, Leeds. Our mission is to preserve our amazing building in order to inspire and empower our community through a sustainable programme of arts and events that promote creativity, connection and wellbeing.

To get a sense for the space please see our 360 images here and our floor plan here. 

We have plenty of space to accommodate five artists so there are no real restriction on size. 

If you would like to visit us, we are open to the public on Wednesdays and Thursdays 10am-4pm. No need to make an appointment, just pop along. 

BACKGROUND
Left Bank Leeds occupies the former St Margaret of Antioch Anglican church. The namesake was a popular saint in medieval England, primarily associated with childbirth. During the reign of the Roman emperor Diocletian (284–305), Margaret allegedly refused a marriage proposal in Antioch and was consequently tortured and beheaded. Her designation as patron saint of expectant mothers and her emblem, a dragon, are based on one of her trials: Satan disguised as a dragon, swallowed Margaret but his stomach rejected her, opened and let her out unharmed.

There are many different versions of her story, all are generally regarded as fictitious. In 1969 St Margaret’s feast day was eliminated from the Roman Catholic church calendar as it was doubtful she ever existed. Nevertheless, during the medieval period she ranked among the most famous saints.  

This project has been made possible thanks to Heritage Lottery Fund.