Elements of Nature is a collaborative arts project by Left Bank Leeds, bringing together early-career artists, local communities, and the natural environment. Inspired by 12 natural elements—Earth, Water, Light, Shadow, Time, and more—artists and participants co-create new artworks through workshops, outdoor exploration, and creative experimentation. The final works will be showcased in a public exhibition at Left Bank Leeds in November 2025.This project is funded by Leeds Inspired & Leeds City Council as part of their Grow Cultural development program.

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Meet the Artist: Aasia Kazmi

Aasia is an architecture student whose practice explores how people, materials, and spaces connect. She is passionate about playful, hands-on making and sustainability, drawing inspiration from traditional building methods where earth is used as a simple, effective, and environmentally connected material.

Her work invites participants to slow down and notice their surroundings, using natural and found materials to explore memory, creativity, and place. Aasia is excited by processes that are tactile, collaborative, and inclusive — encouraging everyone to experiment freely and create together.

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Element: Earth – Living Wall Workshops

This series of workshops explores the grounding, tactile qualities of earth as a material.

You’ll experiment with two tile-making processes:

• Cob Tiles – mix earth, sand, and straw by hand to form small square tiles (like kneading dough!).
• Ceramic Tiles – press natural textures into clay, carve, stamp, or decorate with earthy pigments.

Each tile becomes part of a growing “living wall” — a patchwork of textures and memories that reflects the creativity of everyone involved.Come curious and ready to get a little muddy! These workshops are an invitation to reconnect with natural materials, slow down, and leave your creative mark on a collaborative artwork that will feature in the exhibition.

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Workshop Dates & Structure

Cob Tile Workshops (1st October & 20th October)
Mix, shape, and imprint your own cob tile inspired by nature or a favourite outdoor place.

Structure:

• Welcome & Introduction Learn about the history of cob and its uses in traditional architecture.
• Demonstration: See cob-mixing in action, then get hands-on — adding water, squishing, kneading, and shaping your own tile.
• Imprinting & Decorating: Press textures from leaves, bark, shells, or objects you bring along. Carve patterns or words, and experiment with natural pigments.
• Reflection & Final Touches: Watch your tile firm up and prepare it to join the living wall.

Ceramic Tile Workshop (3rd November)

Create ceramic tiles by pressing textures, carving patterns, and adding earthy colours.

Structure:

• Introduction (10 mins): Explore the symbolism of earth and see an example tile.
• Design & Create (60 mins): Roll out, cut, and smooth your tile base, then add textures, carve, or paint.
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• Closing: Share reflections and add your tile to the living wall.

Workshop Details

📍 Location: Left Bank Leeds
🎟 Cost: Free (please reserve your ticket in advance)
👥 Who Can Join: Open to all — no experience needed

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What to Expect:

Hands-on tile-making using cob and ceramic materials

A chance to explore textures, shapes, and natural pigments

Contribute to a collaborative “living wall” artwork for the November exhibition

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