Leeds gets the street-art treatment

Leeds city centre is leading the way in turning the mundane into something truly magnificent.

Junction boxes have become the latest street furniture to get a makeover. Normally used to house cables for traffic lights systems and made with the intention of keeping them out of sight, they have now been given centre stage by artists who have turned them into a work of art.

'Junction' is a series of temporary commissions for Leeds city centre utilising the ubiquitous 'junction box' as its canvas.

Most would walk past these boxes without a second thought, but now alongside members of the public, they have also caught the eye of thieves who have taken “Cosy” by Tony Broomhead. A plea has been made by the gallery requesting its return.

Created as part of the Met Gallery and Studio Theatre’s public art programme Situation Leeds, the designs create a trail through the city and include 3D drawings, photography and text art.

Gallery director Moira Innes said it “encourages us to look outside the usual gallery setting for artwork”.

Junction runs until October 27