Ey Up Pete Ellis

Ey Up with Harry Meadley

At the time I don’t think I quite appreciated how fortunate I was to have had Pete as my personal tutor in the first year of my degree. As many of those who were taught by him I’m sure will testify – he would stand up for you and your work, especially against certain members of staff who held quite firm views about what did and didn’t constitute art making. He was a champion of inclusivity and of difference. At what was usually – as its fair to say many of his students would also hear a lot about during tutorials – quite a personally quite difficult time for him.

Last year Pete retired from teaching, leaving alongside a large retrospective of his work at &model gallery, Leeds, and is now part of the Film Free and Easy screening and performance events. It was a genuine pleasure to have what was essentially one final tutorial with him. And as ever: contains strong language.