Artist takes over shopping centre for his first homecoming exhibition

INSA with his car at Trinity

INSA, a world famous artist from Leeds is coming home with a major interactive takeover of Trinity Leeds.

The exhibition features nine large murals previously seen across the world that come alive through the artist’s own app, with the centrepiece being a rare Cartier Edition 1968 Lincoln Continental MK3 car covered in artwork.

A graffiti artist who grew up in the city, INSA went on to become globally renowned creating the world’s largest GIF and working with brands like Netflix and Nike. His work has been displayed in famous venues such as the V&A and Tate, with Trinity Leeds understood to be the first shopping centre in the UK to use the artists GIF-ITI app which brings his murals to life visitors will have the chance to win major prizes by taking part in the GIF-ITI treasure hunt around the centre too.

The Lincoln Continental that sits at the heart of the exhibition was specially imported then lovingly restored by Brighouse-based auto sanctuary specialists at Motoburo. The team there took INSA’s bespoke artwork design and applied it to the entire vehicle before a sculpture by Kristian Movahed was installed in the boot.

This is the first time a global artist has taken over Trinity Leeds as it continues to support the city’s home grown artistic talent.

INSA said: “I’m proud to be from Leeds. So returning home to show my current work is a real honour. I’ve painted all around the world but this feels very special as it reminds me of where I started. It’s the perfect venue in Trinity Leeds because I want people to see the work, enjoy it, have fun. Art shouldn’t be exclusive, it should be for everyone, and sometimes that means bringing it to the people, not keeping it behind the closed doors of a gallery.

“I really hope people enjoy my work and have fun exploring the centre, discovering the animated murals that come to life through my app and see what we’ve created with the Lincoln Continental. The team of Motoburo have been incredible and worked their magic on the car – it’s great to produce and show work in the North.”

David Maddison, centre director at Trinity Leeds, said: “Since we opened Trinity Leeds we have constantly looked to blaze a trail when it comes to animating a shopping centre. We like to push the boundaries, to innovate and to give our guests new and exciting things to experience, so this partnership with INSA is perfect.

“INSA is of course from Leeds and likes to embrace new ways of working, as seen with his GIF-ITI work – which fits perfectly with Trinity Leeds. This isn’t just a few vinyls put here and there, it’s a full takeover and visitors won’t be able to miss his many installations, some of which are 7m wide.

“The car is really special and we’ve never seen anything quite like it. It will give INSA the chance to show his home city what he’s all about and for us to show how we can host major art at the centre.”

The exhibition and downloadable GIF-ITI app are all free and it runs from September 15 to mid-October.

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