'We want to change Beeston into an art hub of the North': New Leeds mural celebrates suffragette Leonora Cohen

A Leeds artist has unveiled his new mural on Dewsbury Road depicting local suffragette Leonora Cohen.

Cohen was born in Hunslet in 1873 and was one of the first female magistrates, as well as a personal bodyguard to Emmeline Pankhurst.

She earned the nickname "Tower Suffragette" after smashing a glass case containing the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London in 1913 as part of the campaign for women's suffrage.

Created by Beeston artist Karl Canning, the artwork is mounted on a wall at the junction of Dewsbury Road and Rowland Road and depicts Cohen in front of the local landmark New Inn pub, located further up the road.

“We focused on local heroes, anyone that's been of note from the Hunslet and Beeston area,” Karl, who has spent most of his life in the suburb, told the Yorkshire Evening Post.

“I found Leonora Cohen, and I loved the way she looked, the way she dressed. I loved her story and her achievements are just amazing. There are so many, absolutely loads.

“She was 105 years old when she died, and she fought for women's rights for about 80 years.”

The “extremely difficult” artwork was created over four months in a nearby studio, Karl explained, before being moved to its current location.

“I've never done anything like it before. Buildings are not my forte, so it was a real challenge and a massive learning curve. But in the end, I think we were all so happy with the design – it just came out really well,” he said.

“It looks great, and so far it seems to have had a really good impact on the community.”

Commissioned by the Dewsbury Road Town Team, the artwork is one of three projects Canning is undertaking in the area.

“This is the second mural, part of three commissioned by the Dewsbury Road Town Team,” he said.

“They've been around for years helping improve this stretch of the community, and now that they're disbanding they want to leave a legacy, so they asked for murals that could represent the local history and buildings.”

“As part of my group, the LS11 Street Art Project, we want to revamp the old spaces, the tired places, neglected spaces,” Karl said.

“We want to do the whole of LS11. This is my street, and I want to be able to make a change along with everybody else.”

It follows a mural completed in April depicting four children in a range of roles – from emergency service workers to boxers – set against a colourful backdrop.

“We want to change Beeston into an art hub of the North,” he said.

“Our next project is going to be in September, bringing 13 different street artists together to create 30 murals on one street.

“Maybe in five years we can change the whole face of the city, but we're gonna start humble, start small, and do what we can.”

His latest mural will remain on Dewsbury Road for the next few months, but council plans for the junction mean the artwork will eventually have to be relocated.

“The sad news is we have to move it,” he explained. “The council intend to knock the whole wall down and put some trees in and a nice green planting space.

“I'm massively disappointed because this is a prime location, but I'm also happy that the council are willing to help us relocate. Very sad news, but also a good outcome.”

Councillor Ed Carlisle, who represents the Hunslet ward where Leonora was born, said he was pleased to see her story retold through art.

"It's so good working with Karl and others to develop top-quality street art across our community here in south Leeds,” he said.

“Art, colour and beauty can play such a brilliant role in lifting and improving our communities. And it's especially great to see Leonora's inspiring story retold for our city."

Leeds City Council said it hopes a new location for the mural can be secured in the coming weeks.

A spokesperson told the YEP: “As a council and city we fully recognise and appreciate the importance of Leonora Cohen and her legacy, and we are in dialogue with the artist and those involved to find an appropriate location in the area to host this mural.

"Necessary permissions were not secured for its current position at the junction of Rowland Road and Dewsbury Road, and since being installed local objections have also been raised due its size, location and impact on surrounding properties and the highway.”