Leeds Arts University students win innovative competition to design Walker Morris client meeting rooms
10th April 2019
Winning artwork reinforces law firm’s ‘distinctive’ approach
Walker Morris has announced the 12 winning Leeds Arts University students who will see their designs brought to life in the law firm’s new building when it moves this summer.
As part of its long-standing and continued investment in the arts, the leading law firm launched an innovative competition, in partnership with Leeds Arts University, to commission 13 pieces of artwork for its new offices on Wellington Street.
Students from across the University’s courses were challenged to design a piece of art with a ‘distinctive’ theme to reflect the Firm’s reputation as a distinctive law firm. The artwork will completely fill one of the walls in each of the client meeting rooms in the Firm’s new building with additional artworks providing other focal points.
Winning commission by Alexandra Horton
The judges comprised: Elli Whitefoot (Leeds Arts University), Francesca Gueli-Parkin (Strive), Nick Ramshaw (Thompson Brand Partners and Trustee of Leeds Arts University), plus representatives from across Walker Morris including: David Smedley, (Chairman), Judith Pike (Partner), and Caroline Black (Director of Marketing).
The winning students, who will each receive a commission, are:
| Name | Course |
| Aderice Palmer-Jones | BA (Hons) Illustration |
| Alexandra Horton | BA (Hons) Animation |
| Caitlin Hall | BA (Hons) Photography |
| Cas Anderson | BA (Hons) Animation |
| Claire Tuton | BA (Hons) Visual Communication |
| Ethan Dodd Adkins | Foundation Diploma in Art & Design |
| Lili Rowe | Extended Diploma in Art & Design |
| Lily Windsor Walker | BA (Hons) Printed Textiles & Surface Pattern Design |
| Lucy Turner | BA (Hons) Printed Textiles & Surface Pattern Design |
| Marc Bratcher | MA Creative Practice |
| Oliver Wingard | BA (Hons) Illustration |
| Tamzin Jebson | Foundation Diploma in Art & Design |
David Smedley from Walker Morris commented:
“Having seen some of the fantastic works previously produced by Leeds Arts University students we had high expectations – and they didn’t disappoint. We are delighted with the high quality and creativity of the entries which are all truly stunning and unique. We are a distinctive law firm and that is also a theme running throughout our new building. The winning designs undoubtedly resonate with that theme and will create a working environment to be proud of.
“We are privileged to be able to embark on this innovative partnership with Leeds Arts University and its students. This collaboration reinforces our long-history of supporting art at every level; from primary school with our annual Children’s Calendar Competition, to supporting major exhibitions of the Masters.”
Andrew Jones, Head of Careers, Employability and Enterprise at Leeds Arts University added:
“It’s been great working with Walker Morris LLP on this brief. It was well received by students across many of our courses, providing an excellent opportunity for their talents to be recognised in a professional setting. We look forward to seeing their work in situ later this year.”
The partnership with Leeds Arts University is the latest in Walker Morris’ long history of investing in innovative arts partnerships which enables art to be more accessible to the wider community. The Firm’s arts projects range from grass-roots investment with its annual charity Children’s Calendar Competition, which is open to all primary school-aged children in Yorkshire and Humber; to sponsorship of national art exhibitions such as bringing the Turner exhibition to Yorkshire, supporting the inaugural exhibition at London’s Saatchi Gallery, Damian Hirst’s exhibition, ‘Artist Rooms’, at Leeds Art Gallery and Ashley Jackson’s ‘Framing the Landscape’ project at the Mall Gallery to name but a few.
