Menu
Menu
Menu
Creative Networks is Leeds Arts University’s major professional events programme with talks from high profile speakers from across the creative industries who entertain, challenge and inspire.
Join us as Creative Networks and LEEDS 2023 welcome Keith Khan to chat about his work, his background, insight into his career journey and the progress of his work with LEEDS 2023.
About Keith Khan
As part of My LEEDS 2023, a major community-led LEEDS 2023 project, Keith Khan is working closely with communities across Leeds to develop unique artworks for all 33 wards.
Keith Khan makes performances, animation film, drawing and textiles. Born in London, of Indo-Caribbean heritage, his career began designing carnival in Trinidad and the UK. He links his layered identities’: from his families’ movements within the colonial indentured system; his ancestral links to India; being raised in diverse London; through to contemporary phenomenon relating to cultural confusion; resulting in projects highly personal projects, often presented in different locations and for an audience as diverse as himself.
His practice within drawings and animations are based on working with universal themes, and feature a parred down symbols and ciphers drawn from the world around us, in an eclectic way. Elements are derived from emojis, and pop culture and Chittara (Karnataka) and Taino (Caribbean) art are meshed together to create fresh images that are sometimes animated, to embody a personalty. He juxtaposes sophisticated two dimensional structures, in three dimensional space. The work is normally presented in a limited or reduced palette. The latest pieces are shamanic, with vibrating gods and goddesses bristling with spirituality and life.
Early work was presented in galleries and theatres with deep community links. Many communities, especially diverse ones lack visibility. The community and open making systems have helped Keith lead with diversity and education in his senior management roles. Keith has worked with many different organisations, from The Palace to being the Head of Culture of the 2012 London Olympic Games.
New commissions include a show at the Dhan Mill in Delhi in 2021, and a show for the Manchester International Festival, based on Chinese and Indian data. Keith Khan´s archive of drawings, documents and objects was acquired by London´s Victoria and Albert Museum in 2014.
Booking is essential as places are limited.
We will be in contact, prior to the event, with the zoom URL required to access the event.
LEEDS 2023
The city of Leeds will burst into life, fuelled by creativity and the aim of opening more opportunities for more people.
My LEEDS 2023
With Neighbourhood Hosts representing the 33 wards of Leeds creating events inspired by the people and the personalities of where they live, My LEEDS 2023 is a true celebration of our city.
Who better to shine a light on the amazing communities of Leeds and tell their stories than the people themselves? My LEEDS 2023 will see people across Leeds come together in a city-wide celebration taking place in every ward.
33 Neighbourhood Hosts, one from each ward of Leeds, will work with their communities to creatively explore the stories and culture that live within their ward. From food to dance, sports to craft, Hosts and their communities will imagine, shape and create celebration events especially for their area. These events will take place in each ward in Summer 2023 and will truly reflect and celebrate the creativity thriving in our neighbourhoods.
As part of My LEEDS 2023, acclaimed artist Keith Khan will work will communities across the city to create unique artworks for their ward.
My LEEDS 2023 is a celebration of all the people and stories that make up this incredible city and you’re all invited.
