A natter with: Edek Thompson

Join us for a natter with northern creatives and the people behind the places that drive the creative community.

In the studio by 7:30am with no plan, just space to explore and play. For this Leeds-based artist, art is a way of processing, communicating, and staying grounded. Edek also organises his own Doodle Chat, a community-led space for doodling, chatting, and connecting. A place where creativity and care go hand-in-hand.

From tackling climate anxiety through art to building large-scale projects with communities, their work is rooted in access, joy, and shared expression.⁠

 Expect colour, compassion, and a lot of doodles.

Hi Edek! So nice to natter with you. Your studio space looks amazing, tell us about a typical day in your workspace:

I like to get into the studio early - 7.30am. The studio is a place to play. I never really have a plan of what I will do. Being here is important, and allowing time and space for creativity, exploration and play is what leads to the work being made. I tend to move between projects, and there are always unfinished paintings that I revisit. I've never been able to pin down where the ideas come from, or what creativity is, other than play. I know that without this outlet, life becomes overwhelming, and it's easy to dwell on the negatives that we're surrounded by. Creativity is a kind of communication for me. A way of processing and learning to say the things I need to say.

Tell us about Doodle Chat! What inspired you to start it, and what impact have you seen it have on the people who take part?

Doodle Chat came from the understanding that the simple act of having something to distract me from the conversation allowed me to talk and to open up about my own mental health. Sharing this with other people, I realised the power of creative wellbeing. More and more people started coming to groups and a community has grown from the simple act of giving people access to space and materials, and permission to play, doodle, and to chat with peers. The groups are filled with kindness, and everyone talks about how they feel safe, included, and free to express themselves. The impact on peoples wellbeing and mental health has lead to increased confidence, community cohesion, and to people feeling less socially isolated.    

Other than the Doodle Chats, is there anything else you have coming up?

I'm working on some large scale community driven exhibitions, which I'm waiting to hear about funding for. The project is called Apocalypse Remix, and involves community groups co-creating work with me in exhibition spaces, working on developing a visual manifesto for the communities that the exhibitions take place in. The project will hopefully take place in a couple of locations in the North East, working with communities who don't usually have access to art, and in areas of high deprivation. Making art accessible to all is a driving factor in all the work I do, and is important even in my own studio practice, influencing material choices and subject matter.

How do your surroundings shape your work? How has Leeds influenced you?

In Leeds we're so lucky to have so many creative people, great communities, passionate organisations and groups. Being part of this community definitely shapes how I approach accessibility and inclusivity in my work. I went to uni here, and although I've lived in a few different places, Leeds always feels like home. 

Your work started as a way to process climate anxiety. How has that evolved into something bigger, both personally and communally?

People cannot live in isolation. The same with my work. There is so much joy in creativity, and I love sharing that with others. I love not knowing what other people will create at Apocalypse Remix exhibitions and the workshops, and at Doodle Chats too. This constantly feeds my inspiration. There is a very serious nature to work I make, which is lightened and made joyous by the people who participate in the workshops and groups. It's that conversation that gives me the energy I need to keep working, and to be able to facilitate the community sessions too.

When you're not busy making art, where would we find you?

You can find me in the countryside or at gigs all over Leeds and the North. Sometimes by the sea. Trying to get to all the different exhibitions. Sometimes sitting on my sofa. 

Who would you nominate for us to have a natter with? 

@mazznaylor @politerebellion @aleasybb @assembly_leeds @pteroglyph @basementartsproject @mandyapplecollective

And loads more!

Cheers, Edek!

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