Member Artist call out – John Atkinson Grimshaw inspired artwork

We’ve partnered with Leeds Art Gallery on a new exhibition that celebrates the inspiration of John Atkinson Grimshaw’s work.

We welcome submissions from Pyramid member artists to create artwork in response to the upcoming John Atkinson Grimshaw exhibition. The chosen artworks will be part of a group exhibition in Leeds Art Gallery’s Artspace this November.

John Atkinson Grimshaw captures a magical quality in his beautiful painting of the winged ‘Iris,’ who is surrounded by a range of glowing colours. He also created many artworks which capture the way that moonlight shines out in the darkness, illuminating the cities below. Your art could contain a mystical figure shining in the darkness, the moon, stars and planets and/or pictures of familiar places in the nighttime. It is up to you! You can find more examples of Grimshaw’s work here: https://artuk.org/discover/artists/grimshaw-john-atkinson-18361893

How to apply

You must be a member artist at Pyramid to take part. This means you are in a Pyramid group or Development Team, or you use the Open Studio.

Applications to this exhibition are free, there is no submission fee.

The submission deadline is Tuesday 30 September 2025. We will select artworks and contact applicants by 10 October.

Please email submissions@pyramid.org.uk with your images and artist info as follows:

• You can submit up to 2 pieces of work for us to choose from (please include them all in the same email and understand that we might select only one for exhibition).
• You can include up to 5 images per artwork.
• Please include the dimensions (or intended printed sizes) of each artwork.
• Please include a small bit of information about your work. How does it connect to John Atkinson Grimshaw and/or paintings of the night time?

Exhibition requirements

• Artworks can be any size or shape but should take up no more wall space than A2 (42cm x 59cm).
• Artworks must not protrude (stick out) any more than 5cm.
• Artworks must be ready to hang.
• Artists can submit up to two pieces, but only one may be selected.
• Work is exhibited entirely at the owner’s risk.

Successful artists are welcome to drop off work at the Pyramid studio by midday on Thursday, 30 October. We can print digital work for you, up to size A3.

Venue and access

Leeds Art Gallery is situated on the Headrow in Leeds. They aim to provide a friendly, accessible environment for all our visitors and the widest possible access to our building, exhibitions and collections.

Click here to view or download our venue access information for Leeds Art Gallery.

Image references:
Image 1 – Leeds Museums and Galleries – Iris
Image 2 – Leeds Museums and Galleries – Leeds Bridge
Image 3 – Leeds Museums and Galleries – Leeds Park Row