Leamington Spa Hosts Warwickshire’s First Street Art Mural

Warwickshire’s first street art mural was recently created on an abandoned building on Russell Street by artists from BRINK, a not-for-profit art organisation based in Kenilworth.

The Arts Trail gallery and studios based in Leamington Spa commissioned the artwork which was carried out by BRINK artists Dynamick and NUM3.

The derelict wall belongs to a set of buildings which will be demolished and refashioned into extravagant retirement apartments.

Director of BRINK Contemporary Arts Tim Robottom explained how the destiny of these buildings inspired the piece: “The artists have cleverly substituted the spray can, used to paint the work, for a hammer which similarly symbolises a tool used for both destruction and creation.”

The mural is the first of its kind in Warwickshire, and its high position is intended to allow members of the public to pose for pictures beneath.

Robottom refers to the importance of public artwork as a way to briefly distract people “from the humdrum of the daily routine”, replacing the monochrome concrete scenery with colour, and corporate advertisement with a “challenging alternative”.

“Street art can be seen as an attempt to reclaim the streets back from corporations and to provide an interesting and sometimes challenging alternative that does not focus on selling products or services, but rather enhances the urban environment.”

Robottom also claims that Leamington Spa offers very few opportunities for street art and murals, partially due to reductions in public funding for the Arts.

He said: “It is becoming increasingly difficult to find the finances required to complete these projects.”