Colourful mural on Coventry Ring Road will 'brighten up city' says councillor

[dutchman]

Cllr Jim O'Boyle said the mural 'compliments much of our redevelopment work which has transformed our lovely city'



A colourful mural designed to 'brighten up our city' has been created beneath the Ring Road in Coventry. It was commissioned to bring 'colour to the space' says Coventry City Council.

Local artist Katie O'Sullivan was selected to complete the stunning artwork after a competitive application process. Councillor O'Boyle explained that the council 'opened a call out for an artist last year' to brighten up the dull area beneath the Coventry Ring Road at Junction 9.

It cost £10,000 in total and has been fully funded through the European Regional Development Fund.

Katie says the artwork incorporates various elements from the history of the city including ribbon weaving as well as the three spires of Coventry. She told CoventryLive how she created the mural and explained the symbolism behind the intricate design.

She said: "The design incorporates aspects of Coventry’s nature combined with its local history using bright striking colours. It begins with sage and camomile native to the area linking to the medieval period, the camomile flowers grow up the pillar with two bees landing on the two flower heads.

"The hexagonal shapes reminiscent of the honeycomb structure then lead off into the left-hand corner. Ribbons weave in and out of these structures linking to Coventry’s ribbon weaving history."

Katie said the mural has had a 'really positive response' from locals and added that she is 'pleased' by the response from residents who have said it has 'completely brightened up the area.'

She added: "As the design approaches the right pillar, the hoard flower, which was historically used to dye the fabric blue is placed intermittently between the material along with other historical flowers that were used in the area at the time. The material flows through three triangular shapes, the shapes are to represent the three spires of Coventry.

"As the material flows down the right-hand pillar it turns to water, the Kingfisher bursts through the water, a symbol of peace and revival ending with the hyssop flower which was used for its healing properties representing a rejuvenation of Coventry."

A spokesman for Coventry City Council said: “We opened a call-out for an artist last year to decorate the area beneath the Ring Road at Junction 9. Katie O, an artist from Coventry, was selected.

"Her artwork is bringing colour to the space and incorporates strong Coventry features including ribbon weaving to link to our history. The work also includes a triangular shape at the centre to represent the three spires."

Councillor Jim O'Boyle added: "It fits in with our other artworks around the city, not least of all our new welcome signs on the ring road. A simple idea brightening up our city bringing smiles and cheer to locals and visitors alike. It compliments much of our redevelopment work which has transformed our lovely city."

[dutchman]

It looks like graffiti to me?

[rebbonk]

It looks like graffiti to me?

It does to any sane person, Dutchman. IMO, O'Boyle is an idiot and I've yet to see anything that reasonably puts my opinion to the test.