Thieving seagulls mural part of mission to boost town

A before and after of a two-storey wall. On the left it is painted blue and features giant seagulls pinching chips. On the right, it is a plain white wall. — Image caption,
The murals have popped up across Taunton town centre

9 hours ago

A mural featuring seagull swooping down and pinching chips has been unveiled in a town centre.

It is the third and final artwork for a project commissioned to bring "colour and interest' to venues near St James' Street in Taunton, Somerset, which are mostly independent.

Traders raised £6,500 to bring the creations to the Independent Quarter's walls, with artist Sam Gaden from Aerosol Art being tasked with the designs.

He said chip-pinching seagulls was the "perfect" thing to paint on the side of a chippy.

Skip image gallery

Image caption,
Mr Gaden has just completed the third mural, which has attracted a lot of interest locally and online
Image caption,
The seagulls were picked up by the Seagull Appreciation Society online - and went viral
Image caption,
The wall on the side of health food shop My Carbon Coach has had a flower garden painted on it
Image caption,
Shop owner Susie Thomas said the area does often get overlooked as it's off the main shopping streets. This project aims to bring some "interest and colour", she added
Image caption,
Flowers were also added to the side of Nicky's Flower Studio
Image caption,
Ms Thomas said the reaction to the murals has been "nuts", adding they are making people smile

Get in touch

Tell us which stories we should cover in Somerset

Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook, external and X, external. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.

Related topics

More on this story

Artists complete fisherman mural for seaside café
Published
13 February 2024
Mural celebrates town's 'creativity and culture'
Published
2 July