In Paint We Trust

Hope by David Speed, Tower Street, CV1 1AJ

The first installation for the In Paint We Trust programme has been created by David Speed – a multi-disciplinary artist who illustrates vibrant, playful pieces that he captures as a time-lapse. David is a national, London-based artist and he was given the theme of HOPE for the piece. This links into the City of Culture themes for the year. The vibrant installation is situated on Coventry University’s Bishopsgate Student Accommodation.

Ira Aldridge by Dreph, Belgrade Theatre, CV1 1GS

For those of you that frequent our fabulous City, you may well have seen the immense artwork across the wall outside of the Belgrade Theatre, overlooking the Belgrade Plaza Fountain. The breath taking 20ft mural is dedicated to Ira Aldridge, an acclaimed actor who became Britain’s first Black theatre manager when he was handed the keys to the Coventry Theatre. Aldridge was a prominent activist in the abolitionist movement, also taking the theatre world by storm after moving to Britain to pursue his acting career, taking on roles in Shakespeare performances, including Romeo, Hamlet and Othello.

The artist, Dreph (Neequaye Dsane), aims to depict his subjects as present, empowered, and self-aware, and his work has appeared around the world including in high-profile exhibitions at the likes of the Tate Modern.

Roots, Esquires Coffee, Coventry Transport Museum, Millennium Place, CV1 1JD

Roots is a doodle artist who was brought into the In Paint We Trust project to work on the window surround of Esquires Coffee located at Coventry Transport Museum. The piece depicts all things coffee shop from fun images of latte cups to fruit and veg with smiles on. This is a fun and quirky addition to the project which livens up a simple grey wall.

Atmosphere by Nomad Clan, NUS car park, New Union Street, CV1 2HN

Manchester based duo Nomad Clan have been commissioned to create Coventry & Warwickshire’s largest mural at New Union Street car park. Their task was to create a ‘tower of tales’ that represents the city’s past, present and future, with Coventry’s watchmaking history a focal point of inspiration. The stars and nebulae surrounding the clock face are a nod to Coventry’s first watch and clock maker Samuel Watson, who created time pieces for Isaac Newton, and the flames were added in reference to the current climate crisis, and the increasing time pressure to act.

The international acclaimed duo of Cbloxx and AYLO have had their artwork featured in locations across the world, from Sweden to Flint Michigan and Mexico, with Coventry being the latest city on their list. Using bold designs on large scales, their murals create impact as stand out features against the local scenery.

Electric Futures by Dan Kitchener, Car Park next to study inn, Well Street, CV1  4AG

Dan Kitchener, aka DANK, is the renowned street artist behind the energetic mural on Well Street given the name ‘Electric Future’. The vast mural features the iconic electric version of the London taxi, which is made in Coventry, and set against a neon filled Japanese streetscape highlighting the car’s iconic international appeal.

Dan uses influences from across the world, especially his travel to Japan, to create unique designs that often feature bright and luminous colours.

Community Love by Carleen Desozer, Coventry Caribbean Centre, 159 Spon Street, CV1 3BB 

Carleen De Sozer has used colour, community and culture as inspiration in the new mural splashed across the face of The New Coventry Caribbean Association centre, displaying the words ‘Community’ to tie the artwork in with what the centre does for our Community in the city.

Depicting the rich history of the centre through dance, dominoes, music and friendships the mural really captures the new campaign of ‘Unity in the Community’ that the Caribbean Association are working toward.

Innovation by Crom, Void and Epic, Queen Victoria Road hoardings, CV1 3JH 

The hoardings on Queen Victoria Road opposite the former IKEA building are being used by locally based artists who have been asked to install their interpretation of Engineering and Innovation. This has produced some very futuristic pieces that need to be witnessed to be appreciated.

Artist: Void One

Artist: Crom

Sophie Mess, Priory Hall, Priory Street, CV1 5FD

Sophie specialises in vibrant botanical inspired artworks, bringing the colourful beauty of nature to the urban landscape. After seeing Sophie’s work, the team with Coventry University felt it was a perfect fit for this location.

N4T4, The Watch Centre, 12 Victoria St, Hillfields, CV1 5LZ

As part of the ‘Word on the Street’ project the installation on the side wall of the Watch Centre in Hillfields was part of an initiative instigated by the local Policing team. Police Community Support Officers recently ran a competition in conjunction with primary schools in the area to design artwork that was based on tackling the topics of bullying, internet safety, road safety and knife crime. The winning artwork was recreated by street artist N4T4 and installed in conjunction with The Watch Charity and Community Centre.

Katie O, Coventry Peace Orchard, Coundon Hall Park, Tamworth Road, Keresley End, CV7 8NJ 

Another fabulous mural was installed within Coventry Peace Orchard in Coundon Hall Park; an important symbol of the city’s role as a place of peace and reconciliation and was a dream of local D-Day veteran, Dennis Davison, who fought in the Second World War.

To bring old and new together, the mural was commissioned to be displayed on the side of a graffiti covered wall- designed and painted by local artist Katie O’Sullivan with the stunning work bringing together important elements of Coventry, consisting of soldiers silhouettes, apples, butterflies, a peace dove, and scenes of wildlife, all of which took inspiration from ideas of schoolchildren from a local school.

Diversity - "threads of hope and empathy, choke the throat of prejudice. Age old web of injustice. Dissected. Unpicked, Reworked. Into a tapestry of humanity" by Alan Van Wijgerden & Kirsty Brewerton, Friargate Hoardings, next to Station Square, CV1 2FL

Young Artists in Coventry and Bogota from Youthful Cities Programme, FarGo Village, CV1 5ED

As part of the Youthful Cities Programme, Young people in Coventry and Bogota, Colombia, have been collaborating on a new street art project, led by Coventry artist Jay McKeown, Leicester's Graffwerks, and Colombia's Vertigo Graffiti. In Coventry, a mural has been painted in FarGo Village, presented as part of our In Paint We Trust programme. Young Artists include Rory McKenna (Coventry), Tariq Phillip Evans (Coventry), Cameron Armstrong (Coventry), Kiene Tuckley (Coventry), Luke Spencer (Coventry), Machila Kennedy (Coventry), Daniela Martínez – Plasma (Bogotá), Sebastián Calderón Cortés – Chulo (Bogotá), Ana Lucía Morales Pulido – Alucina (Bogotá), Tatiana Contreras – Micromomentos (Bogotá), Paula Andrea Lemus – Naranjita (Bogotá), Mauricio Moscoso – MRZ (Bogotá).

Psychedelic Eye by Daub, Friargate Hoardings, next to Station Square, Coventry CV1 2FL

Black and white mural of two large eyes looking in the direction of the pavement/road. Framing the eyes is a psychedelic inspired pattern.

Be Kind by Creative Kindness, The Hub opposite Coventry Cathedral, Coventry University, CV1 5FB

Origami butterfly installation. The butterflies are arranged to spell out the words "BE KIND" this installation took place on Kindness Day.

IMAGE: Street Art Strategy Logo

IMAGE: Coventry BID Logo