Visual Arts

Rugby and art might not immediately appear to be obvious team mates but a new exhibition at contemporary art space, PSL, tackles the pairing head on.

'Match Report' is an exhibition of new work by artist Jason Minsky - the culmination of a year spent working as artist-in-residence at Leeds Rugby Foundation and this is the first time the work will be shown publicly, alongside a collection of memorabilia presented by the Foundation.

'Blood, sweat and tears?'

Leeds Rugby Foundation is the charitable trust for both rugby clubs in the city, with support from Arts Council England and Leeds Metropolitan University. It was formed to deliver sports and educational activity that is engaging and fun for children. Using the Leeds Rhinos and Leeds Carnegie teams as inspiration, the Foundation aims to encourage participation in sports whilst also encouraging healthy lifestyles and good citizenship using players as role models. The Foundation also aims to deliver sporting services to the wider community and help amateur clubs raise money to improve facilities and train staff.

Jason Minsky was born in London in 1968, and studied 3D Design at Manchester Polytechnic followed by an MA at the Royal College of Art. His residency at Headingley began in 2007 and is the club's first ever residency. Over the last seven years he has often used a sport as a starting point before moulding it to his own ideas, using photography, performance, design, installation, crafts and events he has worked on everything from boxing and badminton to skipping and Kung Fu.

The exhibition includes photographs showing the rugby ground as viewed from the cricket ground and vice versa, as well as films of fans recounting their memories of past games. Visitors will also be able to join in, karaoke style, and sing along with well known chants from Carnegie and the Rhinos.

Minsky states: "What I felt overwhelmingly from the Foundation, the players and fans alike, is the all round passion surrounding the stadium. In particular the community feel which let me capture a slice of Headingley and take the sport out of the ground and into the neighbourhood."

'Match Report' will be augmented by weekly events that tie in with the exhibition:

Thursday 10 July 2008 @ 6.30pm
'Game of Two Halves'
A performance involving two audio typists transcribing both cricket and rugby match commentaries from Headingley Carnegie stadium.

Thursday 17 July @ 6.30pm
'Show and Share'
An opportunity for fans to share memories, anecdotes and treasured objects with other fans, players and staff and to contribute to an alternative, more personal history of the club.

Thursday 24 July @ 6.45pm
'Artist's talk'
An illustrated talk by Jason Minsky, who will be talking about the residency and the new work created in response to the club.

'Match Report' runs from Thursday 26 June - Saturday 23 August 2008 at PSL [Project Space Leeds], Whitehall Waterfront, 2 Riverside Way.

PSL is open Wednesday - Saturday, 12noon - 5pm or by appointment. Entry is free. The events are free but booking is advised: