We were asked by ALB Group and The Nottingham Project to rejuvenate several properties through street art. After conducting detailed research into the location we established a collective of local artists and briefed them with site specific guidelines. We worked alongside the artists; developing their response to the brief as well as providing them with the necessary freedom to be creative. After submitting a detailed proposal which included visual mock ups, budgets, schedules and contracts we received further financial support from Nottingham BID and the project began.
Production Roles:
Acted as bridge between the clients and the artists
Handled the budget, schedule and method statements for the project
Upskilled artists by booking them onto IPAF courses
Hired scissor lifts for the duration of the project
Handled road closures and council licensing
Provided the artists with a safe and controlled work environment
Coordinated local press and hosted a launch event for the project
Murals by
Lesser Than Three
Laura Decorum
Kynobio & Zena Kay
Dilk
Emily Catherine
Produced by
The Carousel
Supported by
ALB Group
Nottingham BID
The Nottingham Project
Proposal
Bridlesmith Gate Yesterday
Bridlesmith Gate has existed since the Middle Ages and up until the 19th century was the main shopping street in Nottingham. When the time
came for gas lighting it was decided that five out of the ten lights designated to the whole city would be placed along the streets pavements.
Bridlesmith Gate has been the home of family businesses, workshops, laundrettes, butchers, hat makers, pubs, one of Nottingham’s most influential nightclubs, and of course the fashion boutique which gave designer, Sir Paul Smith his first job.
Welcome to Bridlesmith Gate recognises and communicates the importance of the street through its unique history.
Bridlesmith Gate Today
Bridlesmith Gate has a rich history of businesses and this tradition continues to the present day. Independent, Nottingham born businesses sit next to globally renowned design brands and luxury lifestyle retailers as well as some of the best studios, cafes and bars that Nottingham has to offer.
Welcome to Bridlesmith Gate will provide the street with a visual identity making it as recognisable from the outside as the businesses are on the inside.
Bridlesmith Gate Tomorrow
“Arran Bailey, managing director of ALB Group, said his company was buying empty shops in Bridlesmith Gate and he now has plans to revive the area through the replication of London’s Carnaby Street”
For years Carnaby Street was the place to be if you were a creative in search of inspiration. Nottingham is a creative city with a thriving professional art, design and media scene as well as two universities which see an influx of students every year looking for new ideas and places to explore. Welcome to Bridlesmith Gate places Arran Bailey’s vision for the street at its core by bringing the character of Carnaby to Nottingham.
* Quote from Nottingham Post; by Joseph Locker, 23 APR 2022
Process
Project
Bridlesmith Gate has always been a big part of the city’s beating heart and the five new murals reflect this history and diversity; Arriving on Bridlesmith gate from Middle Pavement, artist Lesser Than Three introduces us with a painted wall; ‘Welcome to Bridlesmith Gate,’ which is a nod to swinging Carnaby Street in London, a location which has inspired the project.
Walking into Bridlesmith Gate, Laura Decorum presents a surrealist, 1940’s inspired, portrait of Floss Grain, a woman who kept the family business based on Bridlesmith Gate going throughout wartime and which is filled with details which acknowledge the street’s industrial past.
Zena Kay and Kynobio took fashion patterns from the swinging 60’s all the way up to the two-toned 80’s, to transform their wall into an explosion of shape and colour.
Turn to your right and you’ll see Dilk’s interpretation of the lights and sounds of the 90’s when house music boomed out of The Bomb nightclub. His huge mural wraps around the site of the former venue - a place where Dilk used to paint 20 years ago!
Next, enter Byard Lane, where Dilk’s energetic painting makes way for Emily Catherine’s homage and tribute to Bridlesmith Gate’s most respected graduate Sir Paul Smith. Her black and white photo-realistic portrait of Sir Paul, painted on, and referencing his first workshop, includes patterns which inspired him back in the 60’s and is finished with his fitting quote ‘Everyday is a new beginning.’ With this optimistic ending, the Welcome to Bridlesmith Gate project invites you to discover the street again, to think about its past and to take inspiration from local artists into your future.
Press
“Stick and Ribbon shop Owner Sally Longden said: “It’s amazing and really exciting to be a part of the rejuvenation of Bridlesmith Gate. We’ve noticed an increase in the dwell time for people coming into the area as they aren’t just coming here and rushing off to Marks and Spencer or the train station, they are actually stopping to take time to look up.””
“Alex Flint, CEO of Nottingham Business Improvement District (BID) – the city centre business alliance who are providing funding for the installation of the murals, said: “The project is an example of Nottingham BID’s continuing investment to provide bigger and better things for Nottingham city centre, through partnership working. Projects like this are a powerful way to create pride and excitement in the city, and further raise Nottingham’s profile as a destination city.””
“Lee Walker, director at The Nottingham Project said: ““These murals will be stunning examples of how culture and creativity can be used to help with the rejuvenation of one of Nottingham’s most famous streets and add to an ever growing collection of works across the city that tell our story whilst providing real opportunities for Nottingham’s creative community””
Credits
Artists
Lesser Then Three
Laura Decorum
Zena Kay & Kynobio
Dilk
Emily Catherine Illustration
Production
The Carousel
Funders
ALB Group
Nottingham BID
The Nottingham Project