A striking new street mural has been installed in Great Yarmouth to decorate the hoardings around the St George’s Chapel development whilst work is currently under way to renovate the building. The mural was commissioned for the town through a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The mural was designed and created by street artist Silent Hobo, who specialises in working on large scale street murals and it depicts characters representing key points in Yarmouth’s heritage and cultural life, from the 17th Century, to the maritime and tourist heritage up to its focus in 1960s youth culture with the Mods and Rockers.
“My main idea for the piece was to represent the people through this period of history right up to the present day with elements of history passing by in the background” explained artist Silent Hobo.
“To manage such a large mural, I broke the periods of history into sections and I’d originally sketched out a design for approval and pretty much stuck with it. There are many misconceptions when it comes to spray painting, It can have a negative effect on an area, but it also can have a positive effect too when done with ideas and consideration.”
Silent Hobo has worked on the 30-metre mural for St George’s Chapel during four visits to the town over the past few months. He was last in Great Yarmouth to run a paint by numbers spray art workshop for young people to finish the mural in November 2010.
The mural also features a local man, Michael Blank, who is chairman of “Comeunity”, the local Neighbourhood Management organisation. Michael is also Treasurer of the Middlegate Community Association. He was nominated and won a public vote to feature in the mural in recognition of his work to improve the lives of people from South and Central Yarmouth.
“I had the opportunity to meet Silent Hobo and see him at work creating the mural” explained Michael, “I was very impressed with his complex design and I think he has a tremendous talent. The mural is going to be a major talking point for the town and I am very proud to be a part of it”
It is expected the decorative hoardings will stay in place around St Georges until major works are completed during its renovation into a multi-purpose arts centre. The development of St George’s is the Borough’s principle regeneration programme. The building is expected to be open to the public in early 2012.
Video by Seachange Arts www.silenthobo.co.uk
