Australian artist SMUG at work on What Flies Around. All pictures: Celestine Dubruel
AT the heart of Art of Protest is “placemaking”, explains artistic director and AcombFest curator Jeff Clark, whose inaugural international street art festival in York has the theme of ‘Returning to Nature’, bring together art, nature and communities.
“Every day we are changing the world, and our actions create ripples around us, making waves for others in the future,” he says. “I have found that nature has a funny way of connecting and reminding us that whatever we feel (an issue or a stress) can be re-grounded by a returning spring, the simple buzz of a bee and the sound of a tweeting bird.
“Art of Protest have curated the artist briefs, each themed on how nature interacts with us on a day-to-day basis.”
CharlesHutchPress took a stroll through Acomb on Saturday afternoon to gauge how the four principal murals were taking shape.
Curtis Hylton’s What Flies Above Us on Acomb Post Office in Acomb Road for AcombFest
READING muralist Curtis Hylton is skilled in the art of creating large-scale murals using spray paint. His trademark work incorporates a fusion of nature with bird life and can be seen across the UK, Europe and beyond. Find out more at curtis-hylton. com
Doing the can-can: SledOne spray-painting What Walks Amongst Us betwixt Front Street and The Green, Acomb
NOW based in Bristol, but with Acomb roots, SledOne focuses on surreal characters or vibrant murals married with realistic elements.
He often draws from his surroundings and nature and uses animals as a vehicle. While some elements of his work may be humorous, others are created for the sheer joy of his craft. Visit sledone.org to learn more.
Peachzz’s What Walked Amongst Us on Front Street, Acomb
SHEFFIELD street artist and muralist is recognised for her large-scale, vibrant, nature-inspired murals, peppered with hints of realism.
She has painted globally across Europe, the United States of America, Colombia, Mexico and the Middle East, winning accolades including Street Art Cities’ Best Street Art prize in June 2024. Discover more at peachzz.co.uk.
A group of magpies is known as a mischief. How apt for SMUG’s mural What Flies Around Us betwixt Front Street and The Green, Acomb
Australian artist SMUG is known for realistic, large-scale mural installations. He takes inspiration from people and nature, employing a trademark understanding of light and shadow – which he thinks of as “stylised realism” – to explore both the harmonies and juxtapositions, whether inherent or subtle. Take a look at his Instgram site at @smugone.
AcombFest continues today. Find the full details at acombfest.co.uk.