What do a giant cabbage, an elephant, a pilot and a cyclist have in common? They’re all murals on buildings in Luton, Medway.
Today’s blog is about a grass-roots initiative that’s rejuvenating and commemorating Medway’s forgotten stories, and turning Luton’s houses and high-rises into an open-air art gallery (link in bio).
Enormous thanks to @archeslocal , who kindly talked to me about the background to this frankly amazing project for this post.
The fabulous murals featured in the blog are the work of incredible artists @liambononi , @curtis_hylton , @jack_lack_ , @r75_ricardo_van_zwol , @lukesmile91 , @alain_welter , @voyder , @sophiemess_ , @woskerski , @mister.tris , and @hixxy .
#chatham #medway #muralart #archeslocal #kent
Arches Local approached me with the Man Orchid theme—find their beautiful presentation below. This orchid's flowers look like tiny characters, utterly charming! I was initially reluctant to paint flowers, but I found genuine pleasure in discovering a fun twist around the concept.
The wall presents two distinct surfaces: a textured brick section on the left and a smooth area on the right. I've developed a composition that works with, rather than against, these surface differences.
My concept depicts children discovering the rare Man Orchid in its natural habitat. The scene strategically utilizes both wall sections: the brick area houses the natural discovery scene, while the smooth section features an open florilegium (botanical book) held by one of the children. The florilegium showcases detailed lithographic illustrations highlighting the orchid's distinctive characteristics. This approach transforms the wall's textural divide into a narrative advantage—contrasting the rough, wild environment with refined scientific documentation.
I had great fun painting in Kent. Massive thanks to the team at @archeslocal for all the support and the great work they continue to provide to the community.
And big thanks to Tracey, the former resident of the house I was painting, for the great company and amazing breakfasts! She even gave me a box of butter chicken as I was leaving — such a sweet gesture!
4 Sailmakers Court, ME4 5JJ Chatham.
For those wanting to know more about the Orchid, my initial brief :
"Bordering our neighbourhood is Daisy Banks, a natural habitat ranging from chalk grasslands to ancient semi-natural woodland. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, most of the land was owned by the War Department, and for this reason it remained largely undeveloped. During the summer, one of Britain's rarest and most endangered plants grows here: the Man Orchid. The unusual name stems from its distinct appearance of little men, with the petals forming the head and the lobes of the labellum resembling a dangling torso and limbs. The plant has only been identified in four other locations in the UK—one site in Cambridge, one in Oxfordshire, and two in Kent."
Henrys‘ Souvenirs.
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„Originally from Cambridge, florist and seed merchant Henry Charles Lawrence made Chatham his home in 1868. After working in some of the country’s finest gardens, he opened a shop with a greenhouse above and set up a nursery at the top of Albany Road, where he lived.“
On this wall, I imagined Henry arriving in Chatham, bringing with him all his knowledge of flowers and plants.
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This project was created by the community, for the community, thanks to the wonderful people at @archeslocal . They initiate murals inspired on local tales and stories. I had good fun imagining this one in my head and later on the wall, thank you for welcoming me so warmly.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Big ups to Johnny who saw me painting and came out with his drone for these amazing shots (1,2,4) and edits. YT:SEIDRONES X:SEIDrones
Also massive thanks to my friend @ajaxpiper for the help on the first day ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀#art #steetart #mural #nature #flowers #chatham #realism #painting #artwork #graffiti #spraypaint #ukstreetart #archeslocal
📍Chatham, England 🏴
William Manson was a local pilot and aircraft builder who build his own airplane - the “Luton Minor” in his own house, with the help of the family.
When the construction was finally completed and the aircraft was ready for its test flight, he was prevented from flying it due to the air restrictions of the Second World War. He never saw his creation take to the skies.
Discovering this story, I imagined William Manson’s passion for his craft as something really genuine, almost like the joy of a child at play. So I chose to represent him through the figure of a boy wearing an air force jacket, symbolizing the genuineness of his dedication.
With this work, my intention was to express the deep frustration and disappointment of a dream left grounded, despite all the devotion and effort he had invested in bringing it to life.
Thanks to the team at @archeslocal for all the support and the great work you continue to do in the community.
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William Manson foi um piloto e construtor de aviões local que desenvolveu, em sua própria casa e com a ajuda da família, a aeronave Luton Minor. Quando concluíram a construção e a aeronave estava pronta para o voo de teste, ele foi impedido pelas restrições aéreas da Segunda Guerra. Assim, jamais viu sua criação ganhar os céus.
Ao conhecer essa história, imaginei a paixão de William Manson por seu trabalho quase como a de uma criança encantada em brincar. Por isso, quis representá-lo por meio da figura de um menino vestindo o uniforme da aeronáutica, para simbolizar a genuinidade de sua dedicação.
Procurei trazer à tona, como foco da pintura, a frustração e a decepção de nunca ter visto sua obra voar, apesar de toda a entrega e esforço que dedicou a ela.
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#liambononi #streetart #streetartengland #england #chatham #kent #spraypaint
My fourth international mural. 🇬🇧Chatham. It was a wonderful experience. Thank you for having me Arches Local. It was great to meet you, Team ArchesLocal, Fiona, thank you for the accommodation and for acting as my taxi ;)
The mural can be seen in Chatham on a four-storey building dedicated to the remarkable Luton resident and activist Erica Stuart.
Erica played a key role in transforming seven hectares of disused allotments at the end of Albany Road into Luton Millennium Green.
Determined to create a play area for local children, she worked for years with the late Janet Western, from Medway Council’s community development team, and partners to make this happen.
Opened on 15 September 2000, the park has provided an essential green space for the diverse and growing community in the area for 25 years.
Special thanks to Caparol UK for sponsoring the materials. Samantha Gilbert 🇬🇧 and Marike Driessen Netherlands 🇳🇱🙏🏻🙏🏻
#streetart #streetartist #urbanart #art #artwork #artprogress #wallart #walls #wallpainting #mural #muralist #streetarthunter #streetarteverywhere #streetphotography #streetculture #art #artgram #contemporaryart #publicart #urbanexploration #rotterdam
#rotterdamart museum #chatham #lutongreen #archeslocal #caparoluk #caporolnl #streetartuk
👀 You may see these dotted around the streets of Luton in the coming weeks as part of our Untold Chatham series. More information will be coming very soon!
May was a busy month for our adventure programmes!
30 children took on 25 challenge rooms and a round of adventure golf in Prison Island Maidstone. Meanwhile, our adult group were hitting bullseyes at Fort Luton's axe throwing range.
A busy April half term with over 40 young people joining our adventures!
Across two weeks they explored the world's oldest scientific zoo in London and immersed in all things chocolate with luxury chocolatiers @melt_chocolates , where they created their very own Easter Eggs.
Fantastic morning in Luton Road for a spot of gardening!
Joined by friends and neighbours in the sunshine, we gave our flower baskets and roadside planters a tidy for this week's Great British Spring Clean.
Our February adventure was something a little different!
Young people from our three local primaries braved the UK’s first outdoor skydive machine, England’s longest zipline, and Europe’s biggest swing!
