Ni Studios – Artist Studio & Gallery

An artist gallery and studio housed in Leeds’ beautiful and historic Corn Exchange, you’ll find Ni Studios smack bang in the heart of Leeds city centre. Home to resident artist Mimi since 2020, art lovers are welcome to browse her works from the intimacy of her personal studio. Plastered all over the walls, everything here is for sale and captures Mimi’s own individual style. It’s also not unusual to find her perched on a stool, paintbrush in hand, staring intently at her easel on your visit – in fact, that’s part of the whole charm of Ni Studios.    

Founded through resident artist Mimi’s passion for art, having used it as a tool in coping with life throughout her upbringing, in 2021 Ni Studios was born as an independent, woman-led brand. First launching in York before relocating to its current home inside The Corn Exchange, Leeds, the studio does a lot to support those struggling with their mental and physical health – both through active fundraising, and more introspective pieces of work that explore these topics. 

Having suffered with ill mental and physical health for the majority of her life, it’s a subject that is close to artist and founder Mimi’s heart. Having always used art as a cathartic way to release her emotions, her pieces typically take the invisible and turn it into a tangible entity. By way of doing this, she’s bringing back her power – acknowledging, then moving on from, whatever difficulty may arise. 

All of the collections you discover here are her original artworks, with prints also made by Mimi. The majority of her work is autobiographical, as she has often found comfort through the externalisation of her intangible thoughts and feelings. Her piece Something’s Wrong is a collection about suffering with chronic illnesses, for example, but it’s clear that all the art here is handmade with love. 

The studio and gallery is designed to be a safe, inclusive and accessible space for everybody, and proudly partners with Mind Charity in both York and Leeds: donating a portion of proceeds on certain pieces of work, and hosting fundraising exhibitions affiliated with Mind to further provide assistance to those struggling that need it most.