New Panel Added to Leeds Tapestry Exploring Freedom

Leeds Central Library unveils community-crafted artwork reflecting on freedom

The Leeds Tapestry, a well-known embroidered artwork celebrating the city’s rich history, has been extended with a new panel created by local residents. The panel, inspired by themes of freedom, was developed as part of the national campaign Our Freedom: Then and Now, marking 80 years since the end of the Second World War.

Community involvement in the new panel

Lead artist Hayley Mills-Styles and Elnaz Yazdani collaborated with community groups across Leeds to produce the new panel. The artwork incorporates embroidery, patchwork, and embellishments inspired by Leeds’ history, library collections, and a specially commissioned poem titled Freedom Road by poet laureate Simon Armitage.

The completed panel now forms part of the Leeds Tapestry display located in the first-floor corridor of Leeds Central Library.

Background of the Leeds Tapestry

The original tapestry comprises 16 panels created between 1992 and 2002, each representing different aspects of Leeds’ heritage including:

• Sporting life
• Community spirit
• Education
• Textile industry and manufacturing
• Retail using local materials

The tapestry was devised and designed by Leeds artist Kate Peace (formerly Russell) and involved over 2,000 participants. It consists of approximately 1,500 individual embroideries, many of which required significant time and skill to produce.

Kate Peace described the project as an effort to create artwork that people feel connected to, aiming to include every known form of textile creation to celebrate Leeds’ textile heritage. She noted the thousands of hours invested in the tapestry’s creation.

400th anniversary of Leeds’ Royal Charter

The new panel’s installation coincides with the city’s 400th anniversary of receiving its first Royal Charter, recognising Leeds as a self-governing borough. Councillor Asghar Khan, Leeds City Council’s executive member for communities, customer service and community safety, commented on the significance of the tapestry and the new panel’s reflection on freedom in Leeds today.

Invitation for original volunteers and public access

Emma Hayton, art librarian, announced plans for a private viewing and reunion event in May 2026 for volunteers involved in the original tapestry project between 1992 and 2002. Interested individuals are invited to contact the library via email at artlibrary@leeds.gov.uk.

The Leeds Tapestry, including the new panel, is open to the public during library opening hours. Visitors can also book guided tours of the tapestry through Leeds Central Library.