Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

This was the 4th Artist in Industry Fellowship offered in 1985, the scheme was launched in 1979 by Simon Roodhouse the Visual Arts Officer at Yorkshire Arts. It was the first of similar programmes initiated throughout the country where industry is encouraged to sponsor artists to make creative works either through the provision of materials, providing work space or giving financial support.

Over 230 artists applied from all over the county for this fellowship with only 6 places available. The artists had been usually been selected from the traditional fine art disciplines of painting, sculpture, printmaking and mixed media, I was the first photographer to be offered this fellowship.

The host for my fellowship was Leeds City Council’s Department for Industry and Estates. I was tasked with portraying an endemic problem that has always beset industry, that is unemployment.

In 1984 over 20% of Leeds inner city population was unemployed, 16,000 young people had been without work for over a year, those particularly hardest hit were people with mental and physical disabilities, ethnic minority groups and people recovering from illness.

The Department of Industry and Estates aim was to attack the root causes by providing resources to help develop new skills and new jobs. These resources include establishing small training units, specialist technical support, business loan programmes and advice services, all of which were intended to form an integrated strategy for economic regeneration.

I photographed at various locations which included skills workshops and advice centres, youth training schemes (YTS), long term and youth unemployment centres and new start up businesses that had received financial support and advice from the department.

These photographs together with other artist’s work from the fellowship was exhibited at Leeds Art Gallery and later toured throughout the country. A selection of that work is included here.

These photographs were taken between March-August 1984 using a Plaubel Makina W67 and Metz 45 CT-1 flashgun.

All images are Strictly Copyright © Bill Stephenson All Rights Reserved

AI-00 Art in Industry

[AI 00] The oldest and youngest workers at the TAJ Asian Bakery, Leeds. 1985

This photograph which belongs to Leeds Art Gallery’s permanent collection was included in it’s Shifting Perspectives exhibition 27th May – 30 October 2022.

The exhibition was curated by Dr Laura Claveria and was visited by 123,366 people. Visitors were provided with cards to write their responses to the art work, which were then displayed along side the art works.

Shifting Perspectives explores issues around (mis)representation and identity through examining mechanisms of stereotyping and unequal power relations, connecting the past and the present. It celebrates the contributions of a wide range of Leeds communities, featuring different voices and perspectives on the issues raised by the exhibition …”

Shifting Perspectives public comments:

“I love your picture because it looks like they’re scientists playing ping pong and it reminds me of people in the old days and poor people.”

“We like this photo – really dramatic with the shadowy faces figure in the background and the dark brooding lighting, they’re tired from working a long day. But there’s a sense of satisfaction, a wonderful sense of a story but just can’t quite grasp what it is.”

“Always wonder how much skill in photographs. A lot I imagine! Certainly, something touching in this one.”

“I love how the black and white filters out any clear indicators of time period, creating a timeless quality to the shot, despite it being centred on time passing from one generation to the next. It’s a contradiction in a way.”

“Portrays to me the importance of community and learning from our elders as well as modernity lacking at this in a face of positive representation for the marginalised communities of the UK.”

“Great lighting that triggers an emotive response.”

“This artwork is really amazing and it brings memories and its related to the olden times. Me and my friends love this and artist is very inspiring.”

“The photo allows people to see a new perspective of the younger generations are and how they can impact older people’s lives. The photo being in black and white makes the photo super impactful as it allows modern generations to realise how people lived!”

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 01] Supervisor and trainee in the upholstery department, St Anne’s Community Workshop. This project is aimed at giving permanent employment to disadvantaged long term unemployed.

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 02] Supervisor and trainee in the sewing room, St Anne’s Community Workshop.

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 03] Redundant metal worker and his wife discuss his work options with an advisor at Morley Unemployment Centre.

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 04] Boy waits for an interview at Morley Unemployment Centre.

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 05] Women at Morley Unemployment Centre.

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 06] Family wait for an advice session to start at Morley Unemployment Centre.

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 07] Youth Training Scheme (YTS) trainees at Hunslet Skills Centre. This skills centre specialises in electronics and office skills for young people.

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 08] YTS trainees outside Hunslet Skills Centre during their lunch break. #1

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 09] YTS trainees outside Hunslet Skills Centre during their lunch break. #2

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 10] YTS trainees work in the canteen at St Annes Community Workshop.

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 11] Becky Cheeseman is a YTS trainee at the Off Beat Recording Studio, Kirkstall.

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 12] Gervais is a regular user of the facilities at First Base Youth Unemployment Centre.

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 13] Two ladies in the sewing room at St. Anne’s Community Workshop.

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 14] Three YTS trainees with impaired abilities help prepare food for the ‘meals on feet’ delivery service based at the Woodhouse Canteen.

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 15] Jim and senior citizen. Jim delivers ‘meals on feet’ from the Woodhouse Canteen.

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 16] This senior citizen is a recipient of the ‘meals on feet’ scheme from the Woodhouse Canteen. #1

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 17] This senior citizen is a recipient of the ‘meals on feet’ scheme from the Woodhouse Canteen. #2

The following portraits are of people who have received financial support in the form of business loans and advice in starting up their own businesses.

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 18] Mick Gerwat. Mick is a blind piano tuner from Belle Isle. He obtained work as the resident piano tuner at Leeds University Union, working with visiting musicians such as Elton John, Genesis and U2. Sadly, he later lost his hearing. He has since written a book called ‘Touch Me Please’, published in 2013 describing his struggles in life and eventually finding fulfilment without sound and sight.

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 19] Cathy and Eve. They are successful textile designers and manufacturers, specialising in individual rug and carpet designs.

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 20] Cathy Birch. She is a textile designer and carpet maker at ‘Cathy and Eve’.

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 21] Young man working at a second hand furniture business at a low cost industrial unit in Ashton Road, Harehills.

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 22] Upholstery business at a low cost industrial unit, Ashton Road, Harehills. This business had failed and closed shortly after my visit.

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 23] Cynthia Dawn Lewis is a fashion designer.

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 24] Julia Croft and her boyfriend at Fairytales Bridal Wear wedding dress manufacturer. Julia is the daughter of the owner and is a part-time model.

AI-00 Art in Industry

[AI 00] The oldest and youngest workers at the TAJ Asian Bakery, Leeds. 1985

This photograph which belongs to Leeds Art Gallery’s permanent collection was included in it’s Shifting Perspectives exhibition 27th May – 30 October 2022.

The exhibition was curated by Dr Laura Claveria and was visited by 123,366 people. Visitors were provided with cards to write their responses to the art work, which were then displayed along side the art works.

Shifting Perspectives explores issues around (mis)representation and identity through examining mechanisms of stereotyping and unequal power relations, connecting the past and the present. It celebrates the contributions of a wide range of Leeds communities, featuring different voices and perspectives on the issues raised by the exhibition …”

Shifting Perspectives public comments:

“I love your picture because it looks like they’re scientists playing ping pong and it reminds me of people in the old days and poor people.”

“We like this photo – really dramatic with the shadowy faces figure in the background and the dark brooding lighting, they’re tired from working a long day. But there’s a sense of satisfaction, a wonderful sense of a story but just can’t quite grasp what it is.”

“Always wonder how much skill in photographs. A lot I imagine! Certainly, something touching in this one.”

“I love how the black and white filters out any clear indicators of time period, creating a timeless quality to the shot, despite it being centred on time passing from one generation to the next. It’s a contradiction in a way.”

“Portrays to me the importance of community and learning from our elders as well as modernity lacking at this in a face of positive representation for the marginalised communities of the UK.”

“Great lighting that triggers an emotive response.”

“This artwork is really amazing and it brings memories and its related to the olden times. Me and my friends love this and artist is very inspiring.”

“The photo allows people to see a new perspective of the younger generations are and how they can impact older people’s lives. The photo being in black and white makes the photo super impactful as it allows modern generations to realise how people lived!”

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 01] Supervisor and trainee in the upholstery department, St Anne’s Community Workshop. This project is aimed at giving permanent employment to disadvantaged long term unemployed.

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 02] Supervisor and trainee in the sewing room, St Anne’s Community Workshop.

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 03] Redundant metal worker and his wife discuss his work options with an advisor at Morley Unemployment Centre.

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 04] Boy waits for an interview at Morley Unemployment Centre.

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 05] Women at Morley Unemployment Centre.

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 06] Family wait for an advice session to start at Morley Unemployment Centre.

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 07] Youth Training Scheme (YTS) trainees at Hunslet Skills Centre. This skills centre specialises in electronics and office skills for young people.

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 08] YTS trainees outside Hunslet Skills Centre during their lunch break. #1

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 09] YTS trainees outside Hunslet Skills Centre during their lunch break. #2

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 10] YTS trainees work in the canteen at St Annes Community Workshop.

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 11] Becky Cheeseman is a YTS trainee at the Off Beat Recording Studio, Kirkstall.

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 12] Gervais is a regular user of the facilities at First Base Youth Unemployment Centre.

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 13] Two ladies in the sewing room at St. Anne’s Community Workshop.

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 14] Three YTS trainees with impaired abilities help prepare food for the ‘meals on feet’ delivery service based at the Woodhouse Canteen.

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 15] Jim and senior citizen. Jim delivers ‘meals on feet’ from the Woodhouse Canteen.

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 16] This senior citizen is a recipient of the ‘meals on feet’ scheme from the Woodhouse Canteen. #1

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 17] This senior citizen is a recipient of the ‘meals on feet’ scheme from the Woodhouse Canteen. #2

The following portraits are of people who have received financial support in the form of business loans and advice in starting up their own businesses.

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 18] Mick Gerwat. Mick is a blind piano tuner from Belle Isle. He obtained work as the resident piano tuner at Leeds University Union, working with visiting musicians such as Elton John, Genesis and U2. Sadly, he later lost his hearing. He has since written a book called ‘Touch Me Please’, published in 2013 describing his struggles in life and eventually finding fulfilment without sound and sight.

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 19] Cathy and Eve. They are successful textile designers and manufacturers, specialising in individual rug and carpet designs.

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 20] Cathy Birch. She is a textile designer and carpet maker at ‘Cathy and Eve’.

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 21] Young man working at a second hand furniture business at a low cost industrial unit in Ashton Road, Harehills.

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 22] Upholstery business at a low cost industrial unit, Ashton Road, Harehills. This business had failed and closed shortly after my visit.

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 23] Cynthia Dawn Lewis is a fashion designer.

Artist in Industry Fellowship, 1985

[AI 24] Julia Croft and her boyfriend at Fairytales Bridal Wear wedding dress manufacturer. Julia is the daughter of the owner and is a part-time model.