www.sthelensstar.co.uk /news/20081682.internationally-renowned-artists-unveil-giant-murals-across-st-helens/

Internationally renowned artists unveil giant murals across St Helens

Conal Cunningham 4-5 minutes 4/21/2022

A HOST of large, colourful murals have taken shape across St Helens in recent weeks.

After an "amazing" response to the huge Nomad Clan murals in Parr last year, local arts organisation Heart of Glass have expanded their project to reach more areas across St Helens.

Funded by Arts Council England and in collaboration with internationally-acclaimed street artists, large murals have now been completed in the town centre and in Parr.

This is in addition to local buses that have been wrapped in bright colours and striking motifs.

In each project, the artists have involved the local community to ask what art, themes, and ideas they want to see blown up in their area.

While bringing colour and vibrancy into the town, it is also said to give residents ownership over the places that they live.

'Woodpecker'

St Helens Star: The Woodpecker scales the length of the buildingsThe Woodpecker scales the length of the buildings

St Helens Star: Working on finishing the mural (Pic: Radka Dolinska)Working on finishing the mural (Pic: Radka Dolinska)

Street artist Faunagraphic recently completed her large-scale Woodpecker mural across a row of buildings on Tickle Avenue, Parr.

With Faunagraphic's artwork taking over buildings across the UK and Europe, the imagery is intended to bring nature to urban spaces.

Collaborating with local charity SHAP - which works towards combating poverty and homelessness - the artwork was designed as a bright antidote for those struggling with personal or social issues.

'Welcome Back'

St Helens Star: The Welcome Back mural on Foundry Street (Pic: Radka Dolinska)The Welcome Back mural on Foundry Street (Pic: Radka Dolinska)

St Helens Star: Working on the town centre artwork (Pic: Radka Dolinska)Working on the town centre artwork (Pic: Radka Dolinska)

In partnership with St Helens Borough Council and the European Regional Development Fund, critically acclaimed print artist The Fandangoe Kid has brought a huge floor mural to the centre of St Helens.

Following on from her recent feature for Channel 4, a digital piece for the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan’s charity Thrive, and a collaboration with Marie Curie and the NHS, her latest commission has taken shape on Foundry Street, off Chalon Way.

After the difficulties of the pandemic, lockdowns, and the struggles of the high street, the strikingly bright colours are hoped to welcome residents back into the town centre with a smile.

Billy Colours

St Helens Star: Billy Colours came to Holy Spirit Primary School in Parr to help with her muralBilly Colours came to Holy Spirit Primary School in Parr to help with her mural

St Helens Star: Children worked on colourful and creative designsChildren worked on colourful and creative designs

St Helens Star: Billy Colour's finished mural in ParrBilly Colour's finished mural in Parr

Teaming up with school children at Holy Spirit Primary School, Billy Colours has created a colourful mural near the school in Parr.

Taking part in workshops to make creative designs, the school children's work helped to inspire Billy's brightly-coloured mural. 

The children are said to be "made up" to see their ideas and designs come to life in the area where they live.

'Under our Umbrella' buses

St Helens Star: The colourful 'Under our Umbrella' Arriva busThe colourful 'Under our Umbrella' Arriva bus

St Helens Star: The colourful bus will travel round St Helens to highlight issues young people think are important in society todayThe colourful bus will travel round St Helens to highlight issues young people think are important in society today

Working with young people from Wonder Arts (formerly Citadel Arts), artists Michelle Wren created a series of drawings based around themes that the group felt were important in society today.

Brainstorming ideas as well as speaking with bus drivers about their experiences of driving buses in St Helens, the project evolved to represent issues such as the Black Lives Matter movement, gender identity and equality, along with mental health and wellbeing.

Illustrating how we all have the power to include and support each other, it is hoped that the striking piece of "art on the move" will share a positive message with people across the borough.

St Helens Star: Artists Nomad Clan outside their mural on Rudd Avenue (Pic: Radka Dolinska)Artists Nomad Clan outside their mural on Rudd Avenue (Pic: Radka Dolinska)