Creative Reading with Rosie Vohra

You are invited to Leeds Arts University Library’s new public event series, where artists are invited to speak about the books they make and the books they read.

In conversation with the Collections Librarian, guest artists share the ways in which books and reading play a role in their creativity. This intimate event, held inside the university library, will offer the opportunity to interact with the artists and to view examples of their work, along with a few selected items from Leeds Arts University's Special Collection of artist's books. Attendees take home a bespoke Creative Reading List of book recommendations compiled by the guest speakers.

Our guest for this event is Rosie Vohra (https://www.rosievohra.com/), a multi-disciplinary artist based in Leeds. She has taught workshops and drawing courses in person and online at The Royal Drawing School, Assembly House studios, Leeds Arts University, York St. John University, and El Segundo Museum of Art, Los Angeles, as well as being a member and co-founder of Precious Art Collective and an active member of Assembly House studios in Leeds. 

In 2023, Rosie created Fruiting Bodies, three books bound in the outline of the artist’s body, which considered the relationship between the human and the non-human as a way to think about belonging, identity and storytelling. The fruiting body is the only visible part of the mushroom; the majority of the fungus exists underground as a web called mycelium, which gathers resources from the environment to nourish the exposed parts of itself. Vohra presented these books as fruiting bodies to acknowledge that they are part of a larger network connecting her memories, experiences, family, history, form and picture-making. Leeds Arts University Library’s special collections were used in the development of this commission. Fruiting Bodies, and the artists' books that inspired it, will be displayed at this event.

Practical information

Creative Reading is held inside Leeds Arts University Library. This is a free event but registration is essential. As places are limited, please be aware that booking without attending will likely prohibit others from joining the event. Tickets are not transferrable. Visitors without a ticket will not be admitted. Booking will be open until midday on the day of the event.

Our building is accessible for wheelchair users. Please contact us to discuss any additional access requirements.

Ticket holders will be met at the reception of Leeds Arts University on Blenheim Walk from 5:15pm and directed to the library. The event will begin at 5:30pm.