Mini murals inspired by city life unveiled on Parliament Street and Piccadilly
York BID has partnered with two local artists to transform worn out looking street furniture into vibrant works of art, celebrating York’s status as a UNESCO City of Media Arts while deterring vandalism.
The project is part of York BID’s ongoing work to create a safer, cleaner, and more vibrant city centre. The 60 cabinet boxes on Parliament Street, St Sampson’s Square, Pavement, Coppergate, Fishergate, and Piccadilly were previously targets for graffiti and fly postering but have now been transformed into vibrant works of art. It came about from the BID’s work with York Civic Trust, Make It York, and City of York Council to find a long-term solution for the issue.
Carl Alsop, Operations Manager at York BID, said: “We’re thrilled to work with two talented local digital artists to continue our Outside the Box project. This next phase celebrates York’s status as a UNESCO City of Media Arts while transforming everyday street furniture into eye-catching public art. It’s a creative way to deter vandalism, keep our streets looking cleaner, and add a pop of colour to York’s busy shopping streets.”
On Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square, York-born artist Leah Pendleton has created a series of mini murals showcasing York’s world-famous Gothic and Medieval stonemasonry through a contemporary lens.
Leah Pendleton, Artist, said: “Using the decorative, architectural details that are found all around the city, I developed graphic patterns that highlight the extraordinary skill of the craftspeople that have shaped the city we see today, and give them a modern, colourful twist.”
On Piccadilly, Coppergate, and Fishergate, local artist Rob Stothert’s designs celebrate the array of flora and fauna that call York home, and invites passers by to take a closer look at the natural world around them.
Rob Stothert, Artist, said: “The project celebrates the wildlife that calls York home, while paying homage to the city’s rich history and culture through references to architecture and patterns. Informed by – rather than ignoring – the non-organic nature of the boxes themselves, my aim was to use simple geometric forms and patterns to weave together something of the city’s essence with its animal inhabitants.”
Outside the Box launched on the Stonebow, last year, where renowned street artist HazardOne painted 12 cabinet boxes to showcase York’s stained-glass heritage. It’s part of the BID’s York Art Trail, an ongoing programme to tell stories that reflect York’s unique history and identity through public art.