Artist Emma Hardaker started her creative journey at a young age but didn’t commit to the arts until her twenties. Emma said she has always been inspired by architecture and buildings, but the desire to visually transform and impact the built environment is why she wanted to paint murals. Emma said: “I love learning about a community and place through the process of painting, long hours just in one place means you meet and lot of people and learn a lot about it.”
She has painted many murals across Leeds including one in Kirkgate. Her most recent work can be seen at the Regent’s Street Flyover – a project which began in November of this year. In the new year, Emma will be starting a residency with SOYO and exploring the history of Quarry Hill flats, while working on a project with Leeds 2023 and the WOW foundation which also to be released in the new year. An event for the flyover will also be hosted in the future.
1. Regent Street Flyover
Artist Emma Hardaker began this mural at the Regent Street flyover in November. Photo: Jonathan Gawthorpe
2. Regent Street Flyover
The mural took over four weeks to paint. Photo: Jonathan Gawthorpe
3. Regent Street Flyover
Emma said murals can cause conversations around a place and can get people thinking about change and what they want to see there. Photo: Jonathan Gawthorpe
4. Regent Street Flyover
Artist Emma moved to the city in 2013 and has taken the journey under the old bridge many times. Photo: Jonathan Gawthorpe
5. Regent Street Flyover
The bridge is the gateway to the cultural quarter of the city. Photo: Jonathan Gawthorpe
6. Regent Street Flyover
Emma created the mural under the bridge to add some colour and joy to the area and to reconnect Mabgate with the city and encourage people to walk there. Photo: Jonathan Gawthorpe