News / 11 Mar 2025
Creative in Resident exhibits at Sunny Bank Mills ‘Ones to Watch’ 2025
BA (Hons) Illustration
BA (Hons) Illustration graduate, and current Creative in Resident, Izzie Hinton Smith, is currently exhibiting at the Sunny Bank Mills ‘Ones to Watch’ exhibition 2025.
This is the twelfth year of the 'Ones to Watch' exhibition and showcases some of the most exciting emerging talent Yorkshire has to offer. The exhibition brings together work by artists from across disciplines from painting to sculpture, film, photography, ceramics, design and more.
“It was a real honour being chosen to exhibit at Ones to Watch this year! I think the calibre of work being shown is really strong and Sunny Bank Mills itself is such a local hub for art, it’s exciting to have my illustrations exist in that space. My work is made with the intention of being seen and understood by others so having it be in the real world feels incredibly rewarding. I also took part in the print festival as a stallholder and stocked work during the previous exhibit of “Lore”. The mill is so supportive of upcoming artists and has allowed myself, and other recent graduates, to get their work out there!”
Izzie Hinton Smith, BA (Hons) Illustration graduate and Creative in Resident
Izzie’s work on the exhibition, ‘Hedgerows, Heresy and Hoodlum’, is a chaotic narrative of exploring our living landscapes and the spirits attached to it. Izzie’s work is largely based on folklore.
“I think the, often faded, stories of our ancestors have a radical, wild quality that transcends trends; gaining a powerful ability to reflect and comment on modern society. Folklore also brings our landscapes alive, encouraging a connection that brings empathy for how we interact with it. With my work, I hope to aid in the push to engage with folk and the conversations of environment, society and self that comes with it. The tapestry and supporting book I have on display is all work I created during my time on the Creatives in Residence programme. Having access to the university's facilities allowed me to work on something of such a scale (0.7 x2 meters!) after my degree was over. It’s been a wonderful opportunity to create a manifestation of my current practice.”
Izzie Hinton Smith, BA (Hons) Illustration graduate and Creative in Resident
You can visit Izzie’s website for further information, including a deep dive into the meaning behind the tapestry.
Izzie was selected to exhibit at 'Ones to Watch' along with other Leeds Arts University students and alumni. Other graduates exhibiting are BA (Hons) Fine Art graduate, Alegria Repila Smith, BA (Hons) Illustration graduates, Charlotte Wilkinson and Miles Dyson, and Foundation Diploma in Art and Design alumni, Erin Vallance and Angelika Kaccouris.
You can visit the 'Ones to Watch' exhibition at Sunny Bank Mills until 27 April 2025.