Wellington Place is more than just bricks and mortar, it’s a thriving community powered by people. This series of interviews aims to highlight some of the people of Wellington Place, share their inspirational stories and find out why Wellington Place is much more than just a place to work…
For the fourth and final time in this series, we are pleased to introduce to you the latest art installation in the window of 11 Wellington Place.
Working hand in hand with Leeds Art University, our Artist’s Window initiative seeks to platform local talent in the arts industry by providing them with a real-life opportunity to showcase their work. Over the past year, we have displayed pieces from three other students including Emma Jones, Holly Prosser and Nicole Regine.
Our closing installation comes from final year photography student, Maisie Slater. Maisie’s piece, titled ‘State of Flowers’, uses photography to frame the effects climate change will have on nature, and uses flowers submerged in different states of water to represent its impact including extreme weather and rising ocean levels.
‘State of Flowers’ is now on display at 11 Wellington Place. Maisie explains more about her artwork below…
What can you tell us about your piece ‘State of Flowers’?
‘State of Flowers’ is a series of photography which explores the effects climate change has on things we consider to be beautiful.
Something I’m sure we all associate with ‘beauty’ is flowers, , as well as water, which is a vital part of life and covers most of our planet. Together, both subjects re impacted by climate change.
I decided to use the water as a representation of the consequences of climate change. I could use it in many ways, such as using different states of water, like ice or liquid, in the piece (which is also where the name came from!)
To me, the liquid water represents rising ocean levels, the increase of torrential rain, floods, extreme weather and tropical storms. The solidified water, ice, shows the melting of the ice caps, which leads to ocean levels rising due to the atmosphere heating up.
What’s the inspiration behind your piece?
I was inspired by fine art photographer, Terri Weifenbach, and her stunning bokeh garden images. Weifenbach has previously made statements on caring for our planet and how climate change is impacting our environments, but she does it in a way that shows the beauty of the world we live in and what we are working towards to protect and preserve.
What inspired you to become a photographer?
I have always had an interest in art but was never gifted with the ability to draw well or create a piece of work from my mind. If it wasn’t something I could see right in front of me, it didn’t translate well to pencil and paper.
I first started photography in high school, where I would create projects using my camera phone. It wasn’t until college, when I got a camera, that I fell in love with the form. I began to play with visuals that I could physically create in front of me, construct shoots or find spots in a city that have an odd beauty to them to photograph. Going to university helped me develop all my skills, create a style and find genres that I liked working in.
What does it mean to you that your work is displayed at Wellington Place?
It is my first solo exhibition, so to have my work displayed in such a public space means a great deal to me. Knowing that people will see the work as they walk by is a lovely feeling. Being able to produce work that makes the space more creative and add colour to an environment makes me delighted that I am part of that process.
It’s also a good fit for Wellington Place given their sustainable approach to finding new ways to reduce its environmental impact and enrich the local community.
What are your future plans?
My plans are to continue to progress and improve my photography whilst I work, creating projects and photographs that could be exhibited but also made into a book. I hope to revisit and improve ‘State of Flowers’ to the point where I could get it published and find a local Leeds store, like Village Books or Colours May Vary, to stock and sell.
You can find more of Maisie’s work on Instagram or on her website.
