Victoria Road in New Brighton could easily serve as a blueprint for how a once run-down area can transform into a thriving, attention-grabbing destination — for all the right reasons.
Firstly, rather than the predictable high influx of popular large retail business chains dominating our streets, it makes a refreshing change to see independent businesses on Victoria Road flourishing. Nevertheless, another key factor making Victoria Road stand out is the inclusion of street art throughout the New Brighton area.
When out and about, some people’s daily routine may consist of keeping their heads down while failing to submerge themselves in the environment that awaits them. Such as only aiming their attention at different shops’ window displays. But with no hint of inquisitiveness installed in them to see what lurks above. And honestly, I suppose we are all guilty of doing this at some point. However, the street art on Victoria Road’s upper section of buildings is enticing, thus making it difficult not to notice it.
It could be argued these different types of imagery outdoors, for our viewing pleasure, enable the public to break through their constraints, raise their heads, and notice things that were formerly non-existent to them.
Here, I’ll highlight some of the New Brighton street art that stood out to me.
Colour and Imagination: Insa’s Work
As we can see with the street artist Insa, whose creativity stands above a post office and pharmacy, he utilises bright colours to help the entire building stand out more. Even if the weather is horrendous, Insa’s street art would still uplift the surroundings. His work pays more attention to patterns than texts so the public can explore more with their imagination and create their own interpretations of what Insa is attempting to convey to everyone with the use of his street art.
Transforming the Ordinary: Ben Eine’s Shutters
Shopfront shutters are often overlooked — at worst, they become grimy eyesores. But thanks to artist Ben Eine, the shutters on Victoria Road have been transformed into works of art, adorned with his distinctive, neat lettering style. Street art like Eine’s doesn’t just make the street more visually appealing; it gives the whole area a sense of pride and creativity that would otherwise be lost.
A Giant on the Wall: Aidan Hughes
Perhaps one of the most striking pieces on Victoria Road is a towering mural by Aidan Hughes. Spanning an entire wall and dwarfing the beer garden benches below, the sheer scale of Hughes’ work is impressive. When glancing at his work, what becomes evident is the high level of creativity and skill achieved while using spray paint. Hughes is great at paying attention to detail. The characters’ faces are spot-on and resemble austere Humphrey Bogart-type facial expressions you may see on someone’s face for whatever reason.
The Future of Victoria Road’s Street Art
As vibrant as the street art is, time and weather inevitably take their toll. Paint fades, surfaces peel, and some murals are already starting to show signs of wear. But with Victoria Road now established as a creative hub, there’s hope that a new generation of artists will continue to leave their mark — preserving the area’s unique spirit and ensuring that visitors always have a reason to look up.
Andrew Dickinson
