In Conversation With... Megan Dobbyn
As part of our venue-wide Wintertime celebrations, we spoke to Megan Dobbyn, the artist behind our series of festive illustrations.
Megan Dobbyn is a freelance illustrator based in Leeds. Also organising and teaching community art sessions, Megan is interested in the way art can be taught to give people a voice, empower them to express themselves, and fight for positive change.
Written by Megan Dobbyn
Tell us about your creative practice – how did you get into it?
My dad was a full-time illustrator growing up and I never questioned the validity of a creative career. He definitely inspired me, and both my parents were supportive of me doing a degree in illustration.
After doing my degree in Illustration at Leeds Arts University I started doing workshops voluntarily during university and taking on commissions during lockdown after graduating!
Tell us about more about the workshops and community art sessions you are involved in.
I have the opportunity to do lots of fun and exciting workshops with people of different ages and backgrounds such as a programme of lino printing with Headingley OWLS (Older Wiser Local Seniors) and creative projects in collaboration with Primary schools such as my mural on Neville Street created in conjunction with Hunslet St Mary’s.
I really enjoy working with other people creatively, seeing them gain confidence in their image-making skills and inspire each other with their ideas.
Megan delivering a printing workshop
Wintertime artwork. Credit Megan Dobbyn
Wintertime artwork. Credit Megan Dobbyn
Wintertime artwork. Credit Megan Dobbyn
How do you view the relationship between education and creative expression?
I think creative expression is a key part of the education experience. A good learning experience is one where participants feel a level of agency, inclusion and importance within their own learning journey – expressing yourself creatively is a huge part of this. I think unfortunately our formal education system doesn’t value creativity and visual arts as much as it should.
Visual arts don’t exist in their own bubble, they can be applied to all educational topics like designing a World War II poster for a history module, or plotting a symmetrical pattern in a maths class.
What project are you proudest of?
I am very fond of a project I did for the British Library’s Breaking the News exhibition, showcased in various locations across the UK. I was awarded a commission to create work for the Leeds exhibition.
This was a research-led project informed by the news collections at Leeds Central Library which focused on news as a form of resistance rather than control.
The piece was inspired by independent press housed in the Leeds collection such as the Leeds Other Paper and the Chapeltown News, looking at how these sources had been historically used to challenge the mainstream press.
'Breaking the News' artwork by Megan Dobbyn
Megan's artwork honouring William Morris
Where do you take inspiration from in your work?
I’m definitely inspired by protest art, specifically posters – I’m very interested in the way visual art is used within the protest movements from DIY signs to global peace campaigns. I am also very inspired by the arts and crafts movement (big William Morris fan) so drawing Victorian heritage buildings like The Grand is extremely enjoyable for me!
Are there any artforms you wish to explore in the future?
I teach linocutting a lot, but I would really love to try woodcut! I know it’s a lot harder, but I really love traditional medieval woodcuts, especially the weird gothic ones.
What would be your dream project?
I really love making patterns and I really enjoy drawing heritage buildings and objects – so the Wintertime artwork campaign this year for Leeds Heritage Theatres was really enjoyable and rewarding for me. Maybe a dream project would be a Halloween version…
Megan’s favourites
Favourite venue – The Grand, The Varieties, Hyde Park?
I would have to say Hyde Park Picture House following the recent renovation; I love how many of the original features were reinstated, like the terrazzo floor.
Favourite story about that venue?
I only recently found out they once had a real elephant visited the cinema in 1959 to promote a film called The Big Hunt.
Favourite show/act/film you have seen at one of our venues?
This is such a difficult one, as since working here I’ve had the privilege so see so many amazing things. I think Northern Ballet’s Merlin might be the one I’d choose as it was absolutely magical. Special shout-out to Bat Out of Hell, one of the most bizarre things I’ve ever seen on stage!
A crowd gathered around the elephant promoting The Big Hunt at Hyde Park Picture House
Megan's artwork of The Rocky Horror Picture Show
