Regeneration
Striking artwork brings Walsall community together
Published on
The meaning behind striking Walsall M6 Junction 10 artwork has been revealed as members of the community gathered to admire the installation.
Eagle eyed motorists may have already spotted the striking photomontage artwork that has been erected on fencing close to M6 Junction 10, and the story behind the artwork has now been revealed.
Walsall Council commissioned Barbara Gibson and Marta Kochanek of So Good Studio in Birmingham to create the stunning graphics as part of a commitment to engage the community in the Junction 10 improvement works.
The talented artists, who have produced work for clients including Apple TV Plus and Birmingham 2022, engaged with 14 communities and studiously studied Walsall’s rich history to produce artwork that celebrates Walsall’s heritage and diverse communities. They met and photographed over 50 Walsall people to create the artwork, with the images positioned alongside a number of archival photographs of the borough.
“ Our aim was to create a playful, informative, and educational photomontage illustration to highlight the rich history of Walsall to celebrate its heritage and importance in the West Midlands.
Through this large-scale artwork, we wanted to take the viewers on a journey through colours and memories of the past and present. To make this piece relevant and even more exciting we engaged with local communities to get people involved and featured within the design and concept. We wanted the people of today to engage with the past, drawing a positive journey through decades, reaching 100 years back in time “
“ I’m delighted to see the borough’s rich history displayed and showcased in such a vibrant and creative way. Walsall is in the middle of a £1.5billion transformation and it’s important that we recognise Walsall’s rich heritage and our diverse communities along the way, bringing them on this exciting journey. I’d like to say a big thank you to the artists for creating such a vibrant installation that Walsall people can be proud of “
The artwork spans 50 meters in length, spread across 20 panels close to junction 10 of the M6 where considerable improvement work is ongoing.
The artists engaged with Walsall Leather Museum, Aldridge Transport Museum, Walsall Archives, Walsall Football Club Limited, Walsall Rugby Football Club, UMO - Union of Muslim Organisations, A'iana Community Hub, Walsall Hindu Forum, Black Sisters Collective, The Motivation Hub, Walsall for All, All Stars Walsall and many individuals from across the borough to create the piece.
ENDS
Transforming our borough, creating opportunities:
- 1.5 billion pounds of investment
- 4000 new jobs
- More than 1000 new homes
Walsall is a Borough undergoing real transformation, creating a wealth of opportunity. There is a shared ambition to deliver well connected, attractive places where people are proud to live and work and where businesses want to locate; where there is a strong mix of housing for all our residents, where our communities are well served, and all of our residents have the best life chances.
More information: Regeneration and investment | Walsall Council
More information about the artists can be found via the following links:
