Street art has once again proven its worth by changing the face of a northern English town as celebrated street art duo Nomad Clan’s largest ever mural lands at the gateway to Doncaster. During a time when a local community is crying out for a sense of identity, urban art paves the way to a greater understanding of what local heritage is, and what the future wants to be. After a global pandemic has left cities and towns across the world struggling to pick up the pieces and carry forward, street art has become a vehicle to create a greater understanding of what it means to have a collective voice shared and heard.
This mural, aptly titled Future’s Past and Present, has been two years in the making and has come at a time when more than ever people need to feel included in their surroundings and take pride in ownership of something meaningful. The largest mural to date by Nomad Clan features various totems which give nod to the history and culture of Doncaster. From a coal miner with his pit pony to a female black NHS doctor, every part of this mural is intentional and tells a story. Giving homage to aviation and locomotive transport, as well as Roman ruins and an iconic castle, this mural weaves together a narrative that could only be achieved by the talents of Hayley Garner and Jay Gilleard of Nomad Clan.
The mural has been delivered by Yorkshire based street art team Art of Protest Projects with the help of funding from Doncaster Creates and Arts Council England. Doncaster has now been put on the map as an urban art hotspot and the delivery of this mural proves that the least expected areas can produce valuable and meaningful tokens for communities to hold onto as an anchor and a gripping point to bring people together, spark conversation and ignite a new wave of creativity into an area that desperately needs an identity. The surface has just been scratched for the area, with more infusions of murals and art to hit the streets soon.
Nomad Clan is a UK based internationally applauded street art duo. This collective of Cbloxx and AYLO aka Jay Gilleard and Hayley Garner is well known for their huge murals that they have painted throughout the world. Their mythical style with the haze of dark melancholia has made them unique enough for them to be the creators of the highest mural in the UK. Jay Gilleard and Hayley Garner come from different backgrounds. Where formal education lacks, a street art sprite and experience adds. One thing is for sure; their work combined together is pure perfection. Widewalls magazine has nominated them as ‘One of street art’s finest duos’ and Global Street Art blog and pegged them as “Street art’s hottest UK talent.” As they trot across the globe, they continue to progress in both creativity, talent and ambition.
Art of Protest Projects is a York based art and media company and team of creatives who deliver urban art based projects including numerous large and small scale exhibitions, murals, landscape design, trail and street art and more. Their expertise lies in the imagination, planning and delivery of various projects in all sectors. From producing large murals all over the world to city park and urban space redesign to intimate and bespoke arts and culture events, AOP Projects has the vision and experience to deliver highly curated and professional projects across all sectors.
Photography by Street Art Atlas
Nomad Clan: website | facebook | instagram
Art of Protest Projects: website | instagram
Doncaster Creates: website | instagram
