3D artwork to be painted on King Street in South Shields

South Tyneside Council is working with award-winning arts project The Cultural Spring on a commission funded by the Government’s Welcome Back Fund, which is investing £56m across the UK.

The fund is aimed at helping councils improve the look of high streets – particularly those in coastal towns and cities – and funding marketing campaigns to encourage people back into local shopping areas as the UK emerges from the Covid pandemic.

The council and The Cultural Spring have commissioned arts company 3D Joe and Max to create an 8m x 5m 3D artwork in a prominent spot on King Street in South Shields.

A mock up of what could painted in South Shields. Picture: THE CULTURAL SPRING

Councillor Joan Atkinson, the council's deputy leader, said: “Creating the right conditions for recovery and investment is a key priority for the council, as is supporting our town centres, high streets and villages.

“We believe this artwork will increase footfall and hopefully boost trade in our town centre, providing residents and visitors with an enhanced shopping experience.

"We also hope this will generate interest in culture and the arts and inspire people to support our wider culture and heritage assets.”

A couple of design ideas have been suggested to Joe Hill, who will be painting the artwork, but Joe will be meeting locals at an open Zoom meeting at 5pm on Wednesday, March 2 and at an in-person meeting at Ocean Road Community Centre in South Shields at 4pm on Monday, March 7, to hear their ideas.

Art in Gloucester by 3D Joe and Max. Picture: THE CULTURAL SPRING

Emma Horsman, project director of The Cultural Spring, said: “We’re delighted to be working with 3D Joe and Max on the King Street mural – they’re a company with a global reputation and have created eye-catching 3D street artwork around the world.

“Whatever they create will offer people a fully immersive experience.

"A couple of ideas have been suggested to Joe– under the sea and the environment – but it’s really important to us that local people have a real say on the artwork, so we encourage people to pop along to the Zoom meeting at 5pm on March 2 or in-person at the March 7 meeting.

“We also hope that local people will have an opportunity to actually help paint the artwork – or part of it.”

Art in Gloucester by 3D Joe and Max. Picture: THE CULTURAL SPRING

Jane Davies, commercial director at 3D Joe and Max, said: “We’re excited to be working in South Tyneside and we’ve already completed a couple of mock-ups based on the early suggestions – although we’re really interested in hearing what people would like to see on March 2. It will also be a great opportunity for people to meet Joe.

“The 8m x 5m artwork will be painted directly on to King Street and should last about three months.”

Last summer, the company created a large artwork on Newcastle Quayside which gave the impression of standing on the edge of a rocky canyon.

Joe and Max have also worked across the UK, Europe, the Far East and America.

Read more: Two-vehicle crash in Darlington closes town centre road

Clients include Google, Disney, Reebok, Save the Children and several car manufacturers.

Work on the King Street artwork will start on Tuesday, March 8 and will take three days. To book your place on the March 2 Zoom session please email: info@theculturalspring.org.uk so that the zoom link can be shared.

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