A placemaking project with the local youth group to design and create a new large scale mural for a neglected public space. See the council's press release for the positive local reactions. The car park had become a dingy area covered in graffiti, with many young people reporting they didn't feel safe to go there. I worked with fellow artist LisaMadeIt, young people and youth workers at Sweatbox Wantage to look at the site and come up with ideas for a mural which incorporated secret codes known only to youth group members, to help foster a sense of ownership of the space. Following an engagement and design workshop with the young people, we worked up their ideas into a mural design and painted it on site. During installation we had lots of great conversations with young people and other passers-by, who were delighted with the brightened space and said they like to go there to take selfies. We were able to show local young people what it looks like to work as a mural artist and met quite a few people who said they were inspired to see local artists working at a large scale to bring life to this formerly unloved place.
Commissioned by Vale of White Horse District Council with support from the local arts officer Abi Brown.