Artist Tim Knowles invites audiences to experience the hidden world of the postal system through Circular Delivery, an innovative project using a digital camera embedded inside a posted parcel.
Knowles captures the unseen journey of mail as it travels through West Yorkshire. The parcel, equipped with a small aperture, photographed its surroundings every 12 seconds, documenting its route from NTI in Leeds to The Art House, then to Dean Clough in Halifax, and back to NTI in Leeds.
The resulting images were transformed into an animated film, offering a unique perspective on the inner workings of the postal system. The film reveals glimpses of local post offices, sorting rooms, transportation methods, and the neighbourhoods surrounding the three venues. The final artwork was presented on three monitors, each showcasing one leg of the journey, alongside a series of prints.
Chance is a central theme in Knowles’ work, which is often driven by systems and forces beyond his control. With Circular Delivery, Knowles transforms the overlooked into something tangible and poetic. Through this project, he invites us to see the familiar – our postal system – in a new light, blending sensitivity, curiosity, and an element of anarchy.
Circular Delivery was created in partnership with East Street Arts and the animation premiered at The Art House as part of The Artwalk.
