A brand-new mural in has been commissioned by Knowsley Council in Huyton Village. The 600 sq ft artwork has been painted by Huyton-born artist John Culshaw.
John, a renowned mural artist, worked closely with local community groups and individuals to develop this project, exploring themes and ideas to inspire this artwork, which celebrates local heritage and the future of the area.
The monochrome mural includes an image of a pen and paper, referencing the many creative writers, storytellers and musicians from the area, and ties in with the location of the mural at Huyton Library.
It also includes an image of the old Mayfair cinema, an iconic building which was located on Derby Road at the heart of Huyton Village.
There is a nod to Huyton’s rich footballing history with scenes of children lifting a trophy, reminiscent of the Huyton schoolboy’s ‘Team of 71’ who notably were the first non-city team to win the English Schools FA cup.
The artist chose not to use the face of any one individual out of respect for the many notable people from Huyton that could be celebrated. Instead, he kept the faces unfamiliar but has represented young and old, music and sport and the possibilities for the future.
Special lights have been installed above the mural, making it a dramatic focal point in the village, both day and night.
Artist John Culshaw said: “There are many great things about this area that we should celebrate. I wanted to focus on a few things that were meaningful for Huyton, which were important and a source of pride for local people. Music and sport were themes that came up time and time again and people talked passionately about when they shared their stories and memories”.
Cllr Shelley Powell, Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods said: “Public art is so important in our communities. It engages everyone, even people who profess not to enjoy art. This striking mural is available for everyone to enjoy, 24 hours a day and reflects the rich cultural heritage of the area. I for one am delighted to see our open spaces utilised in such a creative way and I’m sure this artwork will be a talking point for many years to come.”
The mural is the first of a series of murals planned for Huyton Village and will last up to 5 years.
View a gallery of the mural coming to life, here:
