Architect turned artist Arjo has been producing intricate drawings of buildings for many years. His work has appeared at markets, in pop-up outlets and is the basis of a successful online business.
On September 1st he took his retail experience to a new level when he opened his first shop in Leeds Corn Exchange.
Yusef Arjo has lived in Leeds since coming to study architecture over twenty years ago. After graduation, his painstaking drawings became a hobby while he worked in an office as an architect. He found himself commissioned to draw homes, wedding venues, or other buildings of personal significance. When, in 2018, Visa approached him with a bigger commission, The Great British High Street, where he would produce artwork of selected shops, he left architecture and became a full-time artist.
The shop is small but beautifully arranged. Friends with expertise in joinery, interior design and graphics helped to make the shop look fresh, practical and innovative. The first thing you will notice is the art vending machine outside the front door. The machine randomly prints one of six pieces of Arjo art. This has proved extremely successful; needing a refill several times during the first week. For just £1, visitors could take away their own little piece of Leeds art. When two women wanted to use it but had no cash, they were invited to pay by card and then given a coin. The art is displayed on the machine and will change each month.
The artwork is always architectural, illustrating Arjo’s love of Leeds, football and music. Leeds images include Leeds Docks, Hyde Park Picture House, Temple Newsam and Harewood. My personal favourite is the stunning Leeds Reference Library, captured from the gallery, an area usually only open to Library staff.
Arjo has to date illustrated over seventy football grounds and several cricket pitches. Whenever he travels to support Leeds United, he gets there early so he can photograph the ground. Music venues include the Brudenell, Leadmill in Sheffield and Band on the Wall in Manchester.
Whenever a place impresses him, Arjo will get out his pens. You will find images of Florence, Paris and London sitting alongside Yorkshire scenes. To reflect the architectural diversity of cities, he has also developed some collage pieces. Iconic buildings from across Leeds are brought together, as are those from Wakefield, Newcastle, London and other cities.
Maps are also utilised. The Otley Run has drawings of the pubs on the famous pub crawl. The route of the Leeds half marathon is highlighted on an aerial view of the Leeds road network. These could be personalised by adding the name of a runner and date of the run. You could commission your favourite run or bike ride.
Arjo takes commissions to draw any building or route. He aims to do two or three commissions a month. Book early if you want art for a special occasion. Prices vary from £200-£600, depending upon complexity, size and quality of frame and glass. Now the shop is fully operational, you may find Arjo in the shop working on a drawing. He also sells Windsor and Newton drawing supplies, the brand he always uses, so you can develop your own drawing skills.
Plans include having a Thursday evening sketch club. Arjo has run sketch clubs in the past and some fellow Corn Exchange traders are past students. The shop also employs four art students, from various disciplines, as part-time workers.
While I was there Steve Williams from The Sculpture Gallery popped in to see their new neighbour. The Balcony in the Corn Exchange is becoming something of a destination for people who want to appreciate art or buy something unique. Art by Arjo sits alongside shops selling art books and magazines, a portrait studio, shops selling personalised and unique gifts and, of course, the Sculpture Gallery.
The art here is impressive yet affordable. Unframed prints start at £15 and there is currently a buy two get one free offer. There are discounts for students and blue card holders. In a world of AI and mass photography, it is lovely to see special places immortalised in such a personal way.
Photography by Debbie Rolls.
