Art lovers fund giant mural to lift town's spirits

The mural on Shrubland Street in Leamington Spa has been painted on the end wall of a terraced house

Art lovers have funded a striking 7m (22.9ft) mural, painted on an end terrace in Leamington Spa.

The art nouveau-style piece, designed by Tim Robottom, depicts the face of a woman in a floral headdress, garlanded by autumnal blooms.

Sited opposite Shrubland Street Primary School, the mural complements about 20 other public artworks around the town.

Mr Robottom, who co-ordinates the work of Brink Contemporary Arts, said he hoped the design would attract street-art enthusiasts from far and wide.

The mural is opposite Shrubland Street Primary School, which also has a mural designed by Tim Robottom

"Street art is taking off in many cities of Europe. Lyon, twinned with Birmingham, has long had a mural tourist trail and now Britain is following on," he said.

The mural, inspired by the works of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Czech artist, Alphonse Mucha, was sponsored by Art Friends Warwickshire.

Member Dianne Page said she remembered house walls daubed with advertisements for chocolate, cigarettes and grate-blacking, when she was a child.

"Today, our streets display exciting new murals which are works of art, both traditional and modern, and lift the spirits," she added.

The work comprises part of Leamington Mural Festival, which aims to nurture creativity, wellbeing and regeneration in the town.

Mr Robottom explained however, that the festival and Brink Community Arts depended on private donations.

"With the help of funding from Art Friends Warwickshire we can expand the Leamington Mural Festival Street Art Trail and bring art appreciation and creativity further into the community," he said.