Ower-kessen | Leeds

Ower-kessen | Leeds

In the traditional Yorkshire dialect, "ower-kessen" (or owerkessen) means overcast or cloudy. It is a descriptive weather term used across the region, particularly in North Yorkshire, to describe a dull, gloomy, or leaden sky right before a heavy fall of rain or snow.

"Ower" (Over)

• Origin: Derived from the Old English word ofer (meaning above or beyond).
• Linguistic Note: The pronunciation "ower" (rhyming with hour) matches how the word is spoken in Danish and regional Scandinavian dialects (over or ovver), reflecting the heavy Viking influence in Yorkshire.

"Kessen" (Cast)

• Origin: Derived from Old Norse. In Old Norse, the verb kasta means "to throw" or "to cast".
• Evolution: In the north of England, "kest" became the local variant of "cast" (e.g., throwing or casting something down). "Kessen" is simply the traditional past participle form (meaning casten or thrown).
• Other uses: You can see this same root in historical Yorkshire terms like "kessen metal" (meaning cast iron).

Specification

Limited Edition: 25
Frame: Hamburg 20 mm frame
Passe-partout: 4 cm
Paper: Fuji Crystal Archive, matte (Print only Hahnemühle Photo Rag)
Glazing: Matte float glass
Certificate of Authenticity: Included — sent separately

Artist

Stephen Griffiths — Griff Leodis

Stephen Griffiths is the photographer behind Griff Leodis, creating fine-art photography centred on people, place, light and the human environment. His work looks beyond the postcard view of a destination, finding the quieter stories, contrasts and moments that reveal something about the people who live within it.