Selected works
Some assembly required
Audiences:
As part of my MA, I produced a practical guide within a consultancy project alongside my dissertation, “Audiences: Some Context Required”.
The guide is designed to help arts and cultural organisations better understand, collect, and use audience data, serving as an introduction for those starting their creative careers and as a reference for practitioners looking to refresh their methods or explore new strategies. It takes a practical approach to capacity building within arts organisations and offers simple worksheets for individuals to follow and work within.
If you would love to see the full version - both are available on my LinkedIn
2x2 metre Oil on a handmade canvas
In the summer of 2024, I immersed myself in literature examining the UK class system, with a particular focus on Owen Jones’ Chavs: The Demonisation of the Working Class. In the book, Jones explores what he terms the ‘scrounger’ narrative - the idea that government rhetoric and media representation have constructed a damaging consensus portraying the working class as “work-shy benefit scroungers.”
Having grown up in a household reliant on benefits, I found this narrative both deeply personal and profoundly inaccurate.
This painting responds to that tension. It captures the persistent, almost atmospheric weight of class consciousness; the way it lingers quietly in everyday spaces. It reflects how something as ordinary as a weekly food shop can become a reminder of upbringing, stigma, and the subtle but enduring impact of social narratives.
Oil on canvas
68 Countries, 0 Excuses
A 10m long graffitied polythene sheet, paired with a vintage Ikea Enetri shelving unit; holding 68 recorded cassettes.
This piece was inspired from a personal experience of mine, my partner and I were looking into going abroad, but in my research, there were 68 countries that had laws or prohibitions against homosexuality. 12 of the countries, still having the death penalty.
This installation aims to bring attention to this issue by highlighting the 68 countries involved for all to see. Adjacent to the polythene sheet is a shelf displaying cassettes: each representing one of these countries. Each cassette features a speech addressing LGBT+ rights, accompanied by translations of the speech into multiple languages - a nod to censorship.
7ft tall Monolithic structure (Left hand side), constructed out of studwork and reflective mylar sheeting.
This piece looked at the simplicity of artists spaces and the architectural forms that make up modern art galleries. The monolith also provided an imperfect mirror for individuals to evaluate the work around them as well as their own reflections. Placed thoughtfully in a triad of sculptures, the chance to collaborate with other individuals on my degree was extraordinary and having the chance to listen to their ideas to then helping each other implement them in a gallery setting for the first time will always be one of my most cherished memories from throughout my studies.
Monolith (Left)
These images were taken during an open studio session by myself to merge the boundaries of self-portraiture.
As the photographer, every image I take is a form of myself and what I have chosen to capture. But then by capturing someone else, it creates this unfamiliar merging of two persons. This session was the first open studios that I had been a part of and I noted how valuable this is to artists.
The opportunity to engage with the public and have them engage with my practice and ask questions that I had not even thought about was refreshing, especially when university art studios are filled with the same people you see day to day.
Portrait Series - Open Studio
Public Project 1 involved four-hour art-based sessions held at WithYou - a charity that support those in early to late stages of addiction recovery. The group was overseen by Senior Lecturer of Fine Art, Alice Bell and DI Volunteer and Mentor Coordinator, Lucy Sloan; supported by a group of six Fine Art students, acting as 'Art Mentors' for attendees. The sessions helped facilitate multiple participants (of which are recovering from substance misuse) to produce a collection of artworks for an exhibit titled “Groundings: Outta’ the Box”.
Groundings Exhibition
CONTACT ME
Feel free to email me for inquiries or if you have any questions about my work.
Leesteel97@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Lee
