Adventure Playground.
Oilpaint on canvas
2024

I was invited by New Art Exchange to paint a mural as part of their ‘Beyond Walls’ project.
Inspired by an image by local photographer John Birdsall and by a workshop that I led at Hyson green youth center, the painting depicts children at play in Hyson Green estate, Nottingham, in the 80s.

The children are riding a Chopper, which was a bike manufactured and marketed by the Raleigh Bicycle Company of Nottingham. The unique design became a cultural icon, and it is fondly remembered by many from that period.

To the right is ‘The tunnels’, which was one of the few designated play area on the estate. The young residents on the estate used to bike ride, skateboard, and slide down the three large concrete pipes in old bread delivery baskets. I love that these children made their own fun despite this obvious urban planning blunder with the needs of the children being insufficiently considered.

Despite its shortcomings of the estates design and its subsequent dilapidation there was a strong sense of community among the 2000 residents. Hyson Green was and is multicultural and people used to travel near and far to attend blues dances (Reggae and Dub house parties) at the flats. @keithpiper_studio, a founding member of the BLK Art Group, was a notable resident in the flats during his student years.

The estate was built in 1965 and demolished in 1988. This mural is located near to where the flats once was and on the rear walls of the youth centre, which is itself under threat of closure.

I was born in Nottingham so its aways a pleasure making work there.

Hyson Green Youth Club, Terrace St, Nottingham, NG7 6ER. @hysongreenyouth