Graffiti artists converge on huge outdoor gallery space

Jul 19 2010 by David Whetstone, The Journal

IMAGINE being allowed to paint on a huge canvas completely freely. It would be exciting for adults and children alike and even professional artists get a kick out of it.

A giant outdoor art project at Hoults Yard in Byker is now attracting the attentions of North East graffiti art fans.

The former home of Maling pottery, on Walker Road, offered graffiti artists huge brick ‘canvases’ and the freedom to explore new heights.

The massive outdoor gallery has been organised by graffiti art shop Electrik Sheep, based in Pink Lane, Newcastle, which also has an art gallery attached to it.

Hoults Yard, with an abundance of massive walls and a creative hub of businesses, was ideal for the organiser, who was looking for a place for artists to go big.

Kid Acne, a world famous graffiti artist based in Sheffield, has just completed his work at Hoults Yard in anticipation of his exhibition Dust in the Giant's Eye, which is at Electrik Sheep until August 1.

It was natural that Kid Acne claimed the largest wall when he stepped into Hoults Yard, which has a lot of space seemingly crying for artists’ attention.

Spending three days in the sunshine, he finished the biggest piece of street art he has ever done.

The project is supposed to be completed over the coming weeks by other graffiti artists, not only from this country but from around Europe, such as C215 from Paris.

After the owner of Hoults Yard, Charlie Hoult, gave them the green light, Electrik Sheep started approaching some of their favourite artists, including Newcastle-based Prefab77.

London-based Eine, famous for his lettering works on shutters, called Eine’s Alphabet, and stencil graffiti artist Eelus, have exhibited with Electrik Sheep before and are participating in the Hoults Yard project as well.

The list of artists confirmed so far includes Kid Acne, Eine, Eelus, C215, Remi/Rough, System, Prefab77, Mac1 and Insa.

Hoults Yard was built in 1878 as the factory of Maling pottery.

After being acquired by the Hoult family in 1983, it was used as the space for storage and removals.

The three-hectare site is now let to media-related companies, design studios, artist workshops and so on, creating an entrepreneurial buzz.

Because of the nature of old buildings and huge spaces, tenants are free to remodel rooms and make noise.

That’s why Hoults Yard is attractive to people working in the creative sector.

Competitive rents also attract young artists.

Charlie says: “My vision is to make this site a media and arts cluster where people in the industries can collaborate with each other and generate something new.

“This art project is one of such kinds of attempts.”

The manager of Electrik Sheep, Danny Hughes, says: “Hopefully it will open doors to the art scene in the North East, change the perception in people’s minds and spur more creative outlets in the region to adopt a similar approach.

“We are way out of London, where street art thrives, and with this project we are putting Newcastle on the map. Hopefully people will travel to see the space once all the artists have been here.”

Kaori Jinguji