Street art call to transform 'ugly' city wall
A COMMUNITY leader is calling for an ugly corner in Inverness city centre to be transformed by a Banksy-style street artist.
Pat Hayden, chairwoman of Crown and City Centre Community Council, would like to see the Crown Road retaining wall decorated with street art.
The wall, which holds up Stephen’s Brae, previously featured mural panels depicting images of city landmarks and its people including well-known tramp Forty Pockets.
But they were removed two years ago because the images had started to fade and the panels looked scruffy.
Mrs Hayden is now mooting the idea of finding the Inverness equivalent of Banksy – the anonymous English street artist whose work features on streets, walls and bridges around the world.
She was also inspired by painted gable ends on buildings in Glasgow and Belfast.
"It is only a suggestion," she said. "That wall is ugly. There must be someone out there who could transform it but we would not want to give someone free rein – there would have to be some control.
"But I think it would be nice to have images of Loch Ness, Nessie or Urquhart Castle, or perhaps other Highland scenes.
"We have had a tremendous tourist season. As it wanes and we go into the quieter months, it is time to get things done so we are all ready for another busy season next year."
Mrs Hayden did not believe the cost implications would be too great.
"It would only take a few tins of paint and paint brushes," she said. "Maybe someone would sponsor it."
The previous artwork was installed as part of a streetscape project programme to improve the city centre.
It was created by Fife artist Mike Inglis after months of research, during which he spoke to a cross-section of groups and individuals, drawing on their stories and experiences.
