Six artists in Newcastle upon Tyne have revitalised a 500-year-old lane, turning it into a dynamic urban art gallery as part of a project to place creativity and culture at the centre of the city.
The new urban art gallery, overseen by Creative Central NCL, is located on Forth Lane and follows the theme of “Pleasure Garden.”
In partnership with Newcastle Arts Centre, Project North East, and NE1, Creative Central NCL selected six artists to create unique artworks for the Forth Lane Urban Gallery:
- Chris Fleming, a stencil artist, presents two large-scale portraits of Newcastle residents, adorned with vibrant, nature-inspired headpieces.
- Glenn Malpass, a street artist renowned for his graffiti work, has produced a large mural that stretches across Forth Lane. The mural, directed by Mark One87, draws inspiration from the lane’s historic connection to the original Forth Pleasure Garden.
- Jed Buttress, an award-winning investigative artist, crafted a 3D mural mimicking historical carvings influenced by Newcastle’s rich history.
- Laura Sheldon, also known by her artist name SHELDO, designed a striking mural with a contemporary take on Victorian pleasure gardens.
- Rebecca Purnell’s piece depicts Newcastle’s everyday people blending with nature, with limbs entwining around trees and faces emerging from the foliage.
- Tullulah Lines has contributed a bright and surreal artwork, inspired by the joy and freedom of the natural world.
Now, Forth Lane is home to six murals that breathe new life into this historic path, which has served Newcastle’s residents since the 1500s.
Once, this lane led to a four-acre field where residents could enjoy leisure activities ranging from sports to dancing and casual strolls. However, as Newcastle expanded during the Industrial Revolution, Forth Lane became part of the bustling city, and the tranquil green space was lost.
Through this urban gallery, Creative Central NCL seeks to restore the sense of freedom, happiness, and peace that the original Pleasure Garden provided.
Laura Sheldon, one of the commissioned artists, expressed her excitement: “I’m elated to receive this commission! Newcastle holds a very special place in my heart so to have a mural in such a central and historic area is a dream come true.
My initial idea was to couple the exuberant fashion of the time with a surreal depiction of the Forth Gate Victorian fenced Pleasure Garden nestled amongst the character’s hair. I wanted to include a modern style and serene character to emphasise how we still use green spaces as an oasis to escape the city’s hustle and bustle. Looking back to the past as well as looking forward to our ongoing relationship with nature.”
Creative Central NCL is a five-year project supported by the North East Combined Authority and Newcastle City Council, with £1.7 million of funding aimed at making central Newcastle a vibrant hub for creativity and culture, while providing more opportunities for artists and creative enterprises.
Cllr Abdul Samad, Cabinet Member for a Vibrant City at Newcastle City Council, said: “It is fantastic to see different pieces of art brightening up our city centre, providing local people with free access to public art as well as opportunities for local artists to showcase their work and share it with others.
“Creative Central NCL is playing such a pivotal role in providing local artists and creatives the platform to establish themselves and grow, and it is testament to the project’s success that in just over a year, it has committed over £588,000 to artists and creative organisations.
“Art and culture have such an important part to play in our city, and in the wellbeing of so many people who enjoy it. It is also a pleasure to see this project transforming a public place so strikingly.”
The Forth Lane Urban Gallery is now officially open to visitors.