News / 23 Feb 2024
Visual Communication student creates mural for student accommodation building
BA (Hons) Visual Communication
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From left to right: Hanif Malik (Foundation Director), James McGrath (Parklane Properties Branch Manager), Maisie Smith (Senior Marketing Executive), Isabel Spurr (BA (Hons) Visual Communication)
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Parklane Properties mural by Isabel Spurr, BA (Hons) Visual Communication
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Parklane Properties mural by Isabel Spurr, BA (Hons) Visual Communication
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The building before the mural was painted
BA (Hons) Visual Communication student Isabel Spurr was commissioned to create a large mural on the side of a student accommodation building.
The live brief was set by Parklane Properties and their charity brand The Parklane Foundation.
Established in 1977, Parklane Properties are student property experts in Leeds with over 500 properties. The Parklane Foundation helps to build better futures within local communities through fundraising initiatives, community-inspired projects and national charity partnerships.
Parklane Properties and The Parklane Foundation joined forces to create this live brief for Leeds Arts University students, giving them the opportunity to submit a mural concept about what community means to them. The mural is on the side of one of their student properties at 63 Brudenell Road in Hyde Park, with an aim to reduce graffiti tagging, and give back to the community.
BA (Hons) Visual Communication student Isabel Spurr was chosen for the project.
"When entering my piece for the Parklane mural I took into consideration the diverse community that it would be displayed in. I wanted to capture an essence of everyone but also no one. Therefore I decided to use a natural background, with colourful and blooming flowers to represent life and the beauty of our community. Then, to further enhance this, I added characterised creatures who are going about their lives in the leaves of the flowers - doing hobbies such as basketball, dance and painting as well as them going to work and chatting with friends. I hoped to create a piece that would brighten up the area and to capture our diverse and beautiful community."
Isabel Spurr, BA (Hons) Visual Communication student
This is Isabel's second public mural project. Last year she took part in a project to paint several benches for MAPP and Headingley Central.
"The mural is now complete (thanks to the fantastic student Isabel Spurr), and Parklane Properties are also planning to participate in a litter picking day, to further give back to the community! If you’re in Hyde Park, make sure you stop off at 63 Brudenell Road to take a look at the mural for yourself!"
Maisie Smith, Senior Marketing Executive, The Parklane Group