Press

Dr. Lara Rose, a multidisciplinary artist and PhD candidate at Leeds Beckett University, has garnered media attention for her significant contributions to art and culture, particularly in highlighting underrepresented communities.In November 2022, Art Plugged featured Dr. Rose’s unveiling of a life-size sculpture of the esteemed theatre director Dr. Geraldine Connor. This piece is believed to be the first public sculpture of a Black individual in Leeds and among the few in the UK. Dr. Rose expressed her aspiration that this work would inspire more artists to create statues representing Black figures across Britain. Dr. Rose’s academic journey includes completing a Master of Arts with distinction at Leeds Beckett University in 2018, during which she introduced the concept of “AfroDada.” Her works from this period, such as “Windrush Treasure Chest” and “Eyo Carnival Messiah,” were exhibited at the Leeds City Museum during Black History Month from October 2018 to January 2019. In her TEDx talk at Leeds Beckett University, Dr. Rose delved into her personal experiences with language suppression during her upbringing in Nigeria and how a transformative encounter with Dr. Geraldine Connor influenced her artistic and cultural pursuits. Dr. Rose’s research focuses on exploring Yoruba culture, philosophy, and spirituality, examining their influence on artistic practices in Leeds. Her work aims to deepen the understanding of Yoruba art aesthetics and their integration into contemporary art forms. Through her diverse artistic endeavors and academic research, Dr. Lara Rose continues to make impactful contributions to the cultural landscape, emphasizing the importance of representation and the rich heritage of Yoruba culture.For a more in-depth understanding of Dr. Rose’s journey and insights, you might find her TEDx talk enlightening: