Upside down mural leaves community baffled

The mural was painted on the side of Bernie Atherton carpets in Fleetwood

Residents have been left baffled by a mural of a fisherman which has been painted upside down.

The painting, created by Argentinian artist Seba Cener, appeared on the side of a carpet shop in Fleetwood, Lancashire, and shows a fisherman surrounded by a swirling sea.

Some locals were impressed by the quality of the picture, but others were interested to know why it was topsy-turvy.

Christian Fenn from The Big Heart Projects which commissioned it said the artist was renowned for painting upside down to "change people's perspectives", adding: "We love how the mural has sparked all sorts of conversations."

Bernie Atherton Carpets had shared the image on Facebook, saying that it appreciated "all our fisherman from Fleetwood who risked life and limb to bring back food to our local community and had no sense of time of when they would be back into their families arms".

But many social media users were flummoxed by the mural.

"Why is it upside down though?," one woman said.

Another responded jokingly that he thought the artist was "copying off a picture, and it was upside down and he finished before he noticed".

'Important dialogue'

Other locals shared stories of their families who had worked at sea and agreed lives were turned upside down by the industry.

The mural was a "priceless piece of art" for showing this, one woman said.

Another agreed: "Not an easy job at all."

The paintings are part of a The Big Heart Projects, which sees artists commissioned to create murals across Fleetwood

The artwork is one of two that have appeared in the Lancashire town in recent weeks.

The Big Heart Projects was created by The Butterfly Effected, a Community Interest Company, run by artists Mr Fenn and Hayley Garner, which hosts art therapy workshops, mural projects, and outreach programs.

"These murals will do more than beautify areas, they will spark important dialogue surrounding issues such as addiction, mental health, LGBTQ+ rights and child poverty," Mr Fenn said.

"Breaking down stigmas and bringing us closer together."

Ms Garner said: "We first met Seba years ago when we were painting out in Flint, Michigan. We paint with the same vision - to inspire educate and tell stories.

"We have a platform to be heard and need to share this with the people in a positive way."