Nuart Aberdeen to turn Marischal Quad into jungle of imagination
Marischal College Quad is set to undergo a remarkable transformation during this year's Nuart Aberdeen festival. The Quad will become a captivating "jungle of colour." Hundreds of talented school kids come together to create one of the world's largest chalk murals.
Led by the city's acclaimed street artist KMG, approximately 400 primary and secondary school pupils will participate in the Chalk Don't Chalk event. Their focus will be on the theme of Rewilding. This exciting project aims to engage the community and ignite their imagination through artistic expression.
An Epicentre of Creativity
The Marischal College Quad will become the epicentre of Nuart Aberdeen's most extensive public participation event to date. It's expected to attract thousands of visitors and promises a weekend filled with family-friendly activities and artistic experiences. The Quad will come alive with a stunning mural that aims to surpass all expectations and become a noteworthy installation of Nuart Aberdeen 2023.
Renowned artist Katie Guthrie, known as KMG, is thrilled to collaborate with local children. She'll lead them in the creation of the largest-ever Chalk Don't Chalk installation. She told us, "I’m looking forward to working with some local kids to create our biggest ever Chalk Don’t Chalk installation. Unleashing the kids’ creativity to create their own characters and collaborating together to rewild Marischal College armed with chalk and our imaginations."
Nuart Aberdeen Community Endeavour
Ahead of the start of the street art festival, Katie will work closely with the participating pupils within the Quad itself. They'll explore ideas, refine suggestions, and chalk out their collective vision. The mural will gradually take shape under the guidance of KMG. It will reflect her unique artistic style intertwined with the boundless creativity of the young participants. Following the initial creation, the artwork will be opened to all kids and families during the weekend of Nuart Aberdeen. Asking everyone to contribute their artistic flair.
Chalk Don't Chalk promises an unforgettable experience for families beyond the mural creation. In addition to becoming budding artists, attendees will enjoy various activities, including face painting, glitter tattoos, and bubble fun. Nuart Aberdeen's Chalk Don't Chalk event has been a resounding success in previous years. However, 2023 is undoubtedly the most ambitious and promising yet.
Nuart Aberdeen 2023 artists announced
Oh boy, it's getting closer! In the early years of Nuart, we'd have all been heading to see a new crop of murals this past weekend. It's no surprise the team chose this time to announce the artists that will be participating in Nuart Aberdeen 2023. And it's going to be a good on with some old friends are revisiting the city alongside a fantastic fresh array of fellow world-class street artists.
From June 8th to 12th, Aberdeen will host the highly anticipated festival. It'll feature 13 world-renowned street artists invited to the city to create an exciting range of artwork, from large-scale murals to intricate installations. Nuart Aberdeen 2023 has the theme of "rewilding," promising a vibrant celebration of creativity that explores the intersection of art, culture and the natural world.
Who are the Nuart Aberdeen 2023 artists?
We've looked at the team heading to the granite city to leave their mark. Nuart Aberdeen will again feature a talented group. The line-up includes Brazilian artist Thiago Mazza, American artist Swoon, UK-based Stanley Donwood and returning favourites SNIK.
These internationally acclaimed artists will come together with 9 others from across the globe to create stunning street art murals throughout the city centre of Aberdeen. From Europe and Iran to Brazil and the USA, these 13 renowned artists will use the city's walls as a canvas to showcase their incredible talent and unique styles.
AIDA (IR/UK)
A London-based printmaker and visual artist of Iranian origin, AIDA Wilde is an accomplished educator who founded the Print Is Power and Sisters in Print projects. Her studio-based serigraphs are collected worldwide and are known to push the boundaries of contemporary printmaking.
In addition to her fine art, her predominant focus lies on screen-printed installations and social commentary posters featured in cities worldwide, responding to gentrification, education, and equality. She contributed to Nuart Aberdeen's "Stuck Up" project in 2021.
Her HASHTAG series has been used in subversive projects with Brandalism in Paris and the global project Subvert The City, highlighting issues such as climate change in response to the COP21 Summit, making her a leading voice in the contemporary art world.
Eloise Gillow (UK/ES)
Gillow is a UK-based visual artist with an international reach. Her background in classical realist painting has led to her unique style that combines studio painting with public murals.
Eloise is driven by the intimate connection between her artwork and the communities in which it is displayed. She draws inspiration from her surroundings, capturing subtle gestures in body language and movement. This results in images that you can interpret on individual and collective levels.
Her work encourages reflection on the search for vitality, moments of slowing down, and a deeper connection to each other and the natural world. These themes are especially relevant in a world where fast-paced lifestyles and restrictive political and economic systems often hinder this process.
Escif (ES)
Hailing from Valencia, Escif began his street art career in the late 1990s. His work centres on redefining the city through his art, believing that life will always be more interesting than the art itself.
With a minimalist approach and precise lines and colours, his murals reflect current struggles and resistance movements. He also explores how capitalism and environmental issues plague our time. His paintings often represent subtle gestures that break through reality, reminding viewers of the beauty of the world around them.
Although much of his work is based in his hometown, Valencia, Escif has worked on numerous international projects, always fully engaging with the public and local context.
Jamie Reid (UK)
A British artist and political activist, Jamie Reid gained prominence at Croydon Art College when he participated in the student movement of 1968. He took part in an occupation of the college alongside Malcolm McLaren. Reid's most notable contribution to art and popular culture is his iconic album cover designs for the Sex Pistols.
Despite his early success, Reid has continued to be an active and engaged artist, using his visual talents to address social and political issues such as Occupy, Extinction Rebellion, and the Free Pussy Riot movement. His artistic journey is marked by his unwavering commitment to pushing boundaries.
His distinct style of cut-up graphics and slogans, developed during his involvement in the student movement of 1968 and his co-founding of Suburban Press, remains influential and resonant in contemporary art and design.
KMG (SC)
Returning for her second visit as an a featured artists to Nuart Aberdeen, KMG is known for her illustration, painting, and printmaking. Her art explores the mundane to the subversive and reflects a curious and often sarcastic perspective. Despite a healthy cynicism, her work is playful and raw.
Her previous Nuart Aberdeen murals include the massive Ken character at the back of Union Square and the colourfully entertaining mural on the roof of the St. Nicholas Centre.
KMG strongly believes in the power of art to bring people together and regularly works with community groups, healthcare providers, and schools to make art accessible to everyone. She uses her artistic talent to make a positive impact, encouraging others to express themselves creatively.
Manolo Mesa (ES)
Mesa is a Spanish artist who began painting graffiti with his brother in 2002. After studying Fine Arts in Seville, he created pictorial work on walls. Since then, he has lived in various cities, including Bilbao, Paris, and Perugia.
Manolo has gained international recognition for his art and has exhibited in individual and collective exhibitions in major cities such as Paris, London, Madrid, New York, and Los Angeles. He has also participated in art fairs in these cities.
You can find Manolo's mural interventions in numerous countries, including Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, England, Poland, Bulgaria, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, India, South Africa, Germany, and the United States.
Murmure (FR)
Paul Ressencourt and Simon Roché are a duo known as Murmure, who met during their studies in Fine Arts. They initially specialised in different areas of art but later discovered their mutual interest in drawing and street art. Since 2010, they have collaborated on public space interventions such as murals.
Murmure's art explores various themes, including childhood, consumer society, the environment, and new technologies. They create their work mainly with graphite pencil in the studio, developing each project before taking it to the street. The choice of wall and space is crucial to their narrative, and the interaction of the artwork with the urban environment adds an extra dimension to their pieces.
Their works can be seen in galleries and on the streets, where they constantly explore new techniques and mediums. Each artwork they create is unique, as time, weather, and also human degradation contribute to the final result.
Nespoon (PL)
This street artist has been working since 2009. Swoon's signature style is lace, incorporated into their work to explore harmony, balance and natural order. Social commentary is sometimes included in the artist's work, and they have created murals, canvases and installations.
Ceramic street art is a significant part of Nespoon's work, and they use lace patterns in their ceramic designs. These motifs are traditionally used to decorate dishes. But Nespoon believes they are beautiful in their own right and creates no-purpose lace objects glued onto the streets.
Nespoon's work explores the beauty and elegance of lace, highlighting its place in cultures worldwide. Through lace, their work explores themes of harmony, balance and natural order.
SNIK (UK)
Making their third visit to the city for Nuart Aberdeen 2023, SNIK is an internationally-acclaimed duo of artists known for their hand-cut, multilayered stencils. Their work is born from a male/female dual perspective, combining traditional craft with a progressive ethos.
In addition to their large-scale murals, SNIK has gained a reputation among urban contemporary art collectors for their smaller-scale, intricately layered stencil work. These editions, which can take up to a year to produce, showcase the duo's precise cuts and compositional thought.
SNIK's work is known for questioning and also accepting narrative, exploring themes of identity, emotion, and the human experience. Their unique approach to stencil art, combining traditional techniques with the contemporary subject matter, has earned them a significant following and acclaim in the art world.
Stanley Donwood (UK)
Donwood is a British visual artist who is best known for his work with the rock band Radiohead. He has been working with the band since 1994 and has created some of their most iconic artwork, including album covers, posters, and merchandise.
Donwood's art is known for its haunting and evocative imagery, which has helped to create the band's distinctive visual identity. In addition to his work with Radiohead, Donwood has created the official artwork for the Glastonbury Festival since 2002 and has worked on numerous other projects, including book covers and films.
He has also collaborated with author Robert Macfarlane on the book "Holloway". Donwood's work has been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world, and he was featured in the 2021 JEALOUS X SAATCHI show RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW.
Swoon (US)
Real name Caledonia Curry, Swoon is a Brooklyn-based street artist known for her immersive installations and community-based social justice projects. She has been active for the last two decades, using realistic and fantastical elements in her artwork.
Swoon is primarily known for her street art and public installations. She creates large-scale, intricate cut-paper and woodblock prints pasted onto buildings and other structures. She creates accessible art to transport audiences while shedding light on pressing social and environmental issues.
In addition to her visual art, Swoon has explored visual storytelling through film and animation. She has created short films and animations incorporating elements of her street art and installations. This further expands the scope of her creative output.
Tamara Alves (PT)
Alves is a Portuguese visual artist and illustrator. She has always been interested in art that's integrated into the world and fascinated by the aesthetics and urban context of the streets, leading her to present her artwork in public spaces.
Her artistic narrative celebrates the raw and poetic vitality of sensations. Alves invites the viewers to embrace their feelings as a wild and untamed driving force, depicting love as a complex emotion encompassing pain and pleasure, tears and joy, wound and ecstasy.
Tamara Alves' work weaves together themes of instinct, emotion, and the relationship between humans and nature. Her art is evocative and thought-provoking.
Thiago Mazza (BR)
The final artists for Nuart Aberdeen 2023 is Thiago Mazza, a Brazilian artist and self-taught painter. He began with graffiti writing, which sparked his interest in painting walls. He has since become one of the prominent figures in Brazilian muralism.
Thiago Mazza's artwork is influenced by classical painting, street art, and contemporary art, blending these influences into a unique style. His work often involves collecting and painting local plants and bringing nature into urban environments.
Mazza's paintings create a dialogue between nature and the city. His artwork is known for its vibrant and lush depictions of tropical flora. His work also reflects a deep connection with the natural world and a passion for bringing the beauty of nature into urban spaces through his art.
Follow us for more Nuart Aberdeen 2023
Nuart Aberdeen takes place from 8-12 June 2023. As always we'll be covering this world class street art festival right here in the city. You can expect more articles, photographs and videos over the next few weeks. You can find us in the usual places.
Nuart Aberdeen Street Art Walking Tour
Experience vibrant and dynamic with street art walking tour expert guides every second Sunday here in Aberdeen. Journey through the city streets and discover the captivating artworks created during Nuart Aberdeen over the past six years. You will be enthralled by the diversity of artworks, ranging from small-scale paste-ups to breathtaking photorealistic murals.
Each artwork represents the artist's creativity, and the guides will provide insightful commentary on the stories and messages behind each piece. The streets of Aberdeen have been transformed into a public gallery of stunning street art, each with a message and meaning.
This is a creative and inspiring street art walking tour through the city, showcasing the best of contemporary street art. Whether you are a local or a visitor to Aberdeen, these street art tours are an experience not to be missed.
So sign up today and discover the hidden gems of Aberdeen's street art scene.
Nuart Aberdeen 2023
Nuart Aberdeen 2023 street art festival will burst into glorious life on 8 June. As one of the finest street art festivals globally, this award-winning event promises an unparalleled visual experience.
Running until 11 June, Nuart Aberdeen will transform the city centre into a sprawling canvas for 13 talented artists. These artists, hailing from various corners of the globe, will unleash their creativity on walls, turning them into breathtaking murals and captivating artworks.
Among the roster of exceptional artists are Brazilian street artist Thiago Mazza, Swoon from the USA, Aberdeen's very own KMG and Jamie Reid, a pioneer in the artwork of the Sex Pistols and the punk movement.
The festival will adorn various locations across the city, with walls at the old Queen Street police station and prominent spots along Flourmill Lane, Crooked Lane, Thistle Lane, and Rose Street as the backdrop for these remarkable creations.
Nuart Aberdeen showcases extraordinary talent and innovative spirit, bringing more vibrant and thought-provoking street art to the city. Don't miss the opportunity to witness this visual spectacle that will leave a lasting impression on Aberdeen's artistic landscape.
The Artists
We’ve looked at the team heading to the granite city to leave their mark. Nuart Aberdeen will again feature a talented group. The line-up includes Brazilian artist Thiago Mazza, American artist Swoon, UK-based Stanley Donwood and returning favourites SNIK. We've taken a deeper look at the artists in another post, but here are the artists on their way to Aberdeen.
AIDA Wilde - Crooked Lane
A London-based printmaker and visual artist of Iranian origin, AIDA Wilde is an accomplished educator who founded the Print Is Power and Sisters in Print projects. Her studio-based serigraphs are collected worldwide and are known to push the boundaries of contemporary printmaking.
Eloise Gillow - Flourmill Lane
Gillow is a UK-based visual artist with an international reach. Her background in classical realist painting has led to her unique style that combines studio painting with public murals.
Escif - Rose Street
Hailing from Valencia, Escif began his street art career in the late 1990s. His work centres on redefining the city through his art, believing that life will always be more interesting than the art itself.
Jamie Reid - Crooked Lane + City Wide Treasure Hunt
A British artist and political activist, Jamie Reid gained prominence at Croydon Art College when he participated in the student movement of 1968. Reid’s most notable contribution to art and popular culture is his iconic album cover designs for the Sex Pistols.
KMG - Chalk Dont Chalk
Returning for her second visit as a featured artist to Nuart Aberdeen, KMG is known for her illustration, painting, and printmaking. Her art explores the mundane to the subversive and reflects a curious and often sarcastic perspective. Despite a healthy cynicism, her work is playful and raw.
Manolo Mesa - Blackfriars Street
Mesa is a Spanish artist who began painting graffiti with his brother in 2002. After studying Fine Arts in Seville, he created pictorial work on walls. Since then, he has lived in various cities, including Bilbao, Paris, and Perugia.
Murmure - Queen Street
Paul Ressencourt and Simon Roché are a duo known as Murmure, who met during their studies in Fine Arts. They initially specialised in different areas of art but later discovered their mutual interest in drawing and street art. Since 2010, they have collaborated on public space interventions such as murals.
Nespoon - Huntly Street
This street artist has been working since 2009. Swoon’s signature style is lace, incorporated into their work to explore harmony, balance and natural order. Social commentary is sometimes included in the artist’s work, and they have created murals, canvases and installations.
SNIK - Thistle Lane
Making their third visit to the city for Nuart Aberdeen 2023, SNIK is an internationally-acclaimed duo of artists known for their hand-cut, multilayered stencils. Their work is born from a male/female dual perspective, combining traditional craft with a progressive ethos.
Stanley Donwood - City Wide Treasure Hunt
Donwood is a British visual artist who is best known for his work with the rock band Radiohead. He has been working with the band since 1994 and has created some of their most iconic artwork, including album covers, posters, and merchandise.
Swoon - City Wide Treasure Hunt
Real name Caledonia Curry, Swoon is a Brooklyn-based street artist known for her immersive installations and community-based social justice projects. She has been active for the last two decades, using realistic and fantastical elements in her artwork.
Tamara Alves - Skene Street
Alves is a Portuguese visual artist and illustrator. She has always been interested in art that’s integrated into the world and fascinated by the aesthetics and urban context of the streets, leading her to present her artwork in public spaces.
Thiago Mazza - Frederick Street
The final artist for Nuart Aberdeen 2023 is Thiago Mazza, a Brazilian artist and self-taught painter. He began with graffiti writing, which sparked his interest in painting walls. He has since become one of the prominent figures in Brazilian muralism.
Where did Nuart Aberdeen come from?
In 2002, Martyn Reed, an artist and curator, founded Nuart in Stavanger, Norway. He was inspired by the street art festivals he had attended in Europe and sought to bring that same energy to Stavanger. But in 2017, Nuart expanded to Aberdeen.
Since its inception, Nuart Aberdeen has grown and evolved into one of the world's most significant street art festivals. Each year, renowned artists participate in the festival, transforming the city's streets and public spaces into vibrant works of art.
“I have heard other people say it is the best street art festival in the world – and it really is,” Martyn told us.
“Of course, I curate it, but to hear other people say that is the cherry on the cake. We do what we do anyway, we are authentic and do things for the right reasons, not for the accolades or ego, but, yes I would say it is the best street art festival in the world.”
Nuart Plus
As always, Nuart Aberdeen brings with it a programme of side events in Nuart Plus. This is a series of talks and events outside the physical creation of the artwork. As well as Street Art Walking Tours and Chalk Don't Chalk and Marischal College, this year's events are:
Thursday 8 June
Nuart Plus Kick-Off
Aberdeen Art Gallery, Cowdray Hall - 19:00-20:30
Friday 9 June
Nuart Plus Street Art Conference Day 1 - Trespass: Rewild
Aberdeen Art Gallery, Cowdray Hall - 11:00–17:00
Fight Club aka the Pub Debate
SPIN - 21:00–23:00
Saturday 10 June
Nuart Plus Street Art Conference Day 2 - Rewilding the City
Aberdeen Art Gallery, Cowdray Hall - 11:00–17:00
Closing Party: F*ck Art, Let’s Dance
SPIN - 21:00–01:00
A big draw for tourists
The festival has become a big draw for tourists, attracting many visitors who come to see the murals and explore Aberdeen's streets. It has become one of the city's most popular attractions and also a great starting point for discovering Aberdeen's unique culture and history.
Nuart Aberdeen is a highly regarded, not-for-profit street art festival, widely considered the best of its kind worldwide. It is supported by partners Aberdeen Inspired and Aberdeen City Council and delivered by Reed Projects.
Get out and explore Aberdeen's Nuart murals
If you're looking for an exciting way to explore Aberdeen's street art scene, there's no better place to start than setting out to explore the city's Nuart Aberdeen murals. BBC Alba broadcast Tog do Shuil, a brilliant new documentary about the festival and many have been inspired to search out more. Since 2017, the team behind Nuart Aberdeen team has brought some of the world's best street artists to the city to make their mark. It is, without question, one of the most important street art festivals in the world.
In this post, we'll take a look at what makes Nuart Aberdeen so special. We'll also share some handy tips on how to best explore the Nuart Aberdeen murals.
Every year, Nuart Aberdeen brings together some of the world's most renowned street artists. Each of them has created stunning murals in the city's streets, parks, and public spaces.
A brief history of Nuart Aberdeen
Artist and curator Martyn Reed founded Nuart in Stavanger, Norway in 2002. He had found inspiration in the street art festivals he had attended in Europe, and wanted to bring that same energy to Stavanger, and later in 2017 to Aberdeen.
Over the years, Nuart Aberdeen has grown and evolved. And so it has now become one of the planet's most important street art festivals. World-class artists come to Aberdeen every year to take part in the festival. They transform the city's streets and public spaces into vibrant, dynamic works of art.
Nuart Aberdeen has also become a major draw for tourists. Large numbers flock to the city every year to see the murals and explore Aberdeen's streets. It has clearly become one of the city's biggest attractions. It's also a great starting point for discovering Aberdeen's unique culture and history.
Nuart Aberdeen highlights
Nuart Aberdeen has featured some of the world's most renowned street artists. They have left behind a legacy of amazing public art. From the striking, vibrant murals of Martin Whatson and Slim Safont to the surreal and captivating works of Strok, Aberdeen's streets are filled with stunning works of art.
Here are a few of the best murals that artists have created for Nuart Aberdeen:
KMG
KMG's massive mural on the side of Union Square is something special. Ken is a favourite of the Gray’s School of Art graduate. I think it’s safe to say, this is the biggest version of the playful character that KMG has produced.
Martin Whatson
Martin Whatson’s "The Quarry Worker" is a powerful homage to the grit and determination of Aberdeen's granite workers, a reminder of the importance of hard work and dedication. With his signature style which blends graffiti elements and calligraphic scribbles with vibrant colours, Whatson depicts a stencilled man sitting on top of a granite block.
Slim Safont
Slim Safont’s massive mural on Union Plaza is one of the finest examples of street art on display in Aberdeen. It not only looks brilliant but it also makes a strong point. You can either read it as a slight on big companies avoiding paying their taxes or about schools being there solely to produce good little taxpayers. How do you interpret it? That's up to you.
Strok
Strok’s work is electric, focusing on movement and how it interacts with the surrounding environment. As a photographer, he snaps shots of his subject moving through the streets below and transforms them into multi-layer stencils. When he places these works on the wall, they create a distorted perspective.
Helen Bur
One of the most eye-catching murals is Helen Bur’s stunning portrait of a couple with their baby at Union Row. It’s stunning to see such an intimate scene on such a huge scale. The mural is a beautiful testament to the importance of family and community.
Nuno Viegas
Nuno Viegas' has a background in graffiti writing, but when creating murals, his style is particularly polished. The finished product is clean and finessed, a contrast to the rough and ready nature of graffiti. His graffiti heritage is still reflected in this artwork. With strong bright colours and bold lines, it's one of the strongest murals of the 2022 crop.
Smug
Now missing its iconic neighbour across The Green, SMUG's photorealistic portrait of his friend along with his dog is a firm favourite with both passers-by and street art fans. It's one of the most striking Nuart Aberdeen murals and is often the first one visitors see when they arrive in Aberdeen by bus or train.
These are just a few of the incredible murals you can find in Aberdeen, and there are so many more to explore. Also, don't forget to look out for smaller Nuart work and some of the fantastic work by local street artists and graffiti writers along the way.
Tips for exploring Aberdeen's Nuart murals yourself
If you're looking to explore Aberdeen's street art scene with Nuart, here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your experience:
- Make sure to bring a camera. Nuart Aberdeen's murals are a sight to behold, and you'll want to capture the experience. Use the hashtag #NuartAberdeen on social media, and the official account might even share your images.
- Take your time. Nuart Aberdeen's murals are complex works of art, and it's worth spending some time with them, looking from different spots and considering what they mean to you
- Look for work from local artists along the way. Check out the brilliant Street Art Aberdeen for an interactive map of most of the graffiti and murals on display around town.
- Explore the city. Aberdeen is a vibrant and exciting city, and it's worth exploring to get the most out of your experience. Grab a coffee from a local café as you wander around.
- Nuart Aberdeen hosts Street Art Walking Tours from spring through to autumn. They are a brilliant way to hear the back stories and gossip about the murals. This really is the best way to learn all about the art, giving you a deeper understanding of the work that adorns our city walls.
A masterpiece of public art
Over the past 5 years, artists have transformed the city centre of Aberdeen into a masterpiece of public art. The talented lineup of artists who have left their mark on walls comes from all over the world. Following these tips will help you to get the most out of your Nuart Aberdeen experience, and it's sure to be an unforgettable experience.
Whether you're local to Aberdeen or just visiting, it's worth taking a trip along a section of the city to go see these murals. They provide a unique reason to explore Scotland's most colourful city.
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Ernest Zacharevic - Nuart Aberdeen -
KMG - Nuart Aberdeen -
Fanakapan - Nuart Aberdeen -
Helen Bur - Nuart Aberdeen -
Hama Woods - Nuart Aberdeen -
Hendrik Uldalen - Nuart Aberdeen -
Milu Correch - Nuart Aberdeen -
Erin Holly - Nuart Aberdeen -
Jofre Oliveras - Nuart Aberdeen -
Martin Whatson - Nuart Aberdeen -
SNIK - Nuart Aberdeen -
Slim Safont - Nuart Aberdeen
Nuart Aberdeen will be back in 2023
Nuart Aberdeen exceeded all expectations last year by bringing people together in a time of disconnection. The festival attracted thousands of art enthusiasts from Aberdeen and around the world to flock to the city centre. They were mesmerised by the breathtaking street art and participated in the festive activities with great joy.
It's no surprise that this cherished event will return for yet another year this June. Nuart Aberdeen, since it arrived in the city in 2017, has become an integral part of the community, elevating the unique character of Aberdeen to new heights, and bringing with it a splash of colour.
Tog do Shùil - Nuart Aberdeen doc explores a painted city
Tog do Shùil is the fantastic new documentary from Midas Media that follows the journey of journalist Mairi Rodgers, a newcomer to the world of street art. It follows her as she becomes a volunteer at the 2022 Nuart Aberdeen festival. It’s available to watch on iPlayer until Wednesday 15 Feb.
She provides a unique insight into the festival, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process and showcasing the work of the amazing people who make it happen including world-class artists like Slim Safont, Jacoba Niepoort and James Klinge.. It’s a great way to experience the energy and excitement of Nuart Aberdeen and gain a deeper appreciation for the dynamic between the characters that surround it. The city looks pretty awesome too.
Martyn Reed founded Nuart in 2002 in Stavanger, Norway. Having attended street art festivals in Europe, Reed wanted to bring the same energy to Stavanger and later, in 2017, to Aberdeen.
Nuart brings together the globe's best street artists
Each year, Nuart Aberdeen brings together some of the globe's best street artists to create stunning murals throughout the city.
The show itself revolves around Nuart Aberdeen 2022. The street art festival has become an annual event since it came to the city in 2017. It has helped Aberdeen gain an impressive reputation as a world-class street art destination. Two of the 2022 murals have been nominated for major international street art awards!
It will also feature legendary American photojournalist Martha Cooper who has spent her life capturing the graffiti scene globally. Most famously, the New York graffiti scene in the 70s and 80s. Cooper will share her impressions of the streets of Aberdeen in the documentary.
Tog do Shùil - look up at the painted city
Aberdeen has become a world-class destination for street art. The city's vibrant and diverse murals can be found on buildings dotted around the city centre, making it an integral part of the city's visual landscape. The Nuart Aberdeen murals attracted attention from around the world and have been featured in numerous publications and exhibitions. Whether you're an art lover or simply looking for something unique and exciting to see, Aberdeen's street art is sure to impress.
Character Design & Painting Workshop with KMG
KMG aka Katie Guthrie will lead a free workshop hosted by Nuart Aberdeen this September 24.
Participants will learn how to create their own street art characters and paint them in a collaborative mural during a four-hour workshop. Participants will learn the basics of character design from the perspective of their own personalities and interests before creating their own designs. Their characters will then be used to create a large-scale collaborative composition.
Nuart Aberdeen East End Walking Tour
The brilliant Nuart Aberdeen walking tours take place throughout the summer. They are a fantastic way to explore and learn about the murals dotted around the city. Your guide will tell you about the work, the artists and even some gossip about the process of making these spectacular events happen.
There are two separate tours of the city. One concentrates on the West End of the city centre, while the other is based in the East End. The tours will cover six years of brilliant street art in Aberdeen city centre.
Final artists announced for Aberdeen street art festival
Nuart Aberdeen have announced the final artists for this year's socially distanced event. The Aberdeen street art festival made its long-awaited return the city last week. Local talent Katie Guthrie, aka KMG making a welcome return to her hometown to create the first two murals of the 2021 run.
Henrik Uldalen and duo SNIK are the final artists for Nuart Aberdeen 2021. Organisers have added them to the group of already announced, Helen Burr, KMG and the pioneer of ‘balloon graff’ Fanakapan.
Henrik Uldalen
Henrik is a self-taught artist whose creative production revolves around classic figurative painting, presented in a contemporary manner. He explores the dark sides of life, nihilism, existentialism, longing and loneliness, juxtaposed with fragile beauty. Though he's a figurative painter, his focus has always been the emotional content rather than narratives. Henrik often presents his work with a dream or limbo-like atmosphere. Using elements of surrealism and expressionism.
Internationally acclaimed artists SNIK took part in the 2018 festival. They then created one of the cities most loved murals. ‘Hold Fast Hope’ faces out to the harbour from a wall on Virginia Street. Both are delighted to be returning to Aberdeen. The city hold fond memories for them. They told us, “This is our second visit to Aberdeen and our fourth wall for Nuart. We couldn’t be happier to be painting again this year. We can’t wait to be involved again, up a lift and painting a wall for such a great city.”
SNIK
SNIK combine the creation of hand cut, multilayered stencils with haunting, ethereal portraiture, born from a male/female dual perspective. The duo’s work has been commissioned on walls the world over. Their post-industrial scenes loom large over passers-by in locations as diverse as Miami and Hong Kong.
Away from city streets, the pair have become revered by urban contemporary art collectors in recent years. This is thanks to rare releases of editions that can take up to a year to produce. The smaller scale and intricacy of layered stencil work requires incredibly precise cuts and careful compositional thought. This work has captured the attention of critics, art lovers and collectors alike.
Commenting on the announcement Adrian Watson, Chief Executive of Aberdeen inspired said “The focus this year has been on bringing UK based artists to the city over a period of time which helps to ensure that that we can deliver the productions as safely as possible.
“Henrik Uldalen and SNIK are talented artists who will bring interesting work to the walls of our city. It’s particularly rewarding when artists want to return to our city as this shows the warmth of the welcome they received first time round.
Nuart Aberdeen is curated and produced by the Stavanger based arts organisation Nuart, spearheaded by Curator and Director Martyn Reed, one of the worlds most respected and critically acknowledged authorities on the culture, he added “Nuart Aberdeen captures the imagination of people in a special way and we leave it to Henrik and SNK to create their art and the hope you the viewer will see something positive in what we’re trying to do.”
A covid safe event
Nuart Aberdeen 2021 has returned as a COVID secure series of individual street art productions which will take shape on the city’s walls throughout June and July. Artists will produce work supported by a local production team during the extended festival period.
With the first two productions complete Aberdeen Inspired are confident the plans for the event ensure the safety of artists, the production team, volunteers, and the public. As a result of covid, elements which would attract large scale gatherings, like the guided tours and public launch will not take place. This is to keep the public safe. Nuart will, however, provide resources and information to allow members of the public to conduct their own self-guided tours. The public can enjoy their tour at a time that suits them. In addition, it will be in accordance with the latest COVID-19 restrictions and regulations.
Stuck Up - the Nuart Aberdeen event you can be part of
Nuart Aberdeen have called on the people of Aberdeen to be part of a record breaking new street art project. 'Stuck Up' is a worldwide collaboration which will take place in the city centre this July.
Aberdeen Inspired have earmarked a half kilometre wall for the world’s largest paste-up wall. 'Stuck Up' will feature curated pieces from a selection of Nuart artists. Partner Flying Leaps will provide archive revolutionary street art posters. The wall will also feature submissions from artists, poets and creatives from around the world.
Organisers are asking local folk to contribute to 'Stuck Up', making this a truly collaborative paste-up wall. It will run from the East Green into the Tunnels. They hope that the finished wall will the biggest of its kind in the world.
Martyn Reed is Director and Founder of the Stavanger based arts organisation Nuart. He told us, “Paste Ups are more often than not regarded as an artwork in their own right. Artists usually create them in a studio before they transplant them on the streets. The practice also crosses over into notions of the more familiar fly-posting. This is when art becomes the vessel for political sentiments and social calls to action.
“In many ways, Paste-Ups demand little more than a tabletop, scissors, magazines and /or paper. They are as much related to ‘craft’ as to the rarefied world of contemporary art.
“Perhaps what the world needs right now is a less ‘stuck-up’ and judgmental look at the collective capacity of our communities to engage in shaping public space. We are returning to a more honest involvement in art as we create it within cities.
“Art can be humble while still making an impact; as much craft as high concept, while still grabbing attention and changing minds. The more accessible the initial process of making art becomes, the more likely it is to reach a wider audience.”
Nuart Aberdeen will take place over the whole summer for 2021. The socially distanced event brings back the fun and colour of Nuart without crowds. In previous years people visited the city centre in one weekend.
Aberdeen inspired Chief Executive Adrian Watson commented on the 'Paste Up' project. He said, “This is an exciting opportunity for local artists, creatives, schools, poets, companies and even groups of friends or families to get involved with Nuart Aberdeen this summer."
“Classes can get together to create a poster from their school. University students can perhaps recreate some of their work in poster form. Colleagues can have fun creating a poster of unique work for the wall. Perhaps these posters reflect the challenges they have faced over the last fifteen months."
Nuart Aberdeen is all about making art accessible and open to everyone. ‘Stuck Up’ is a safe and novel way to involve local people in creating an original and unique piece of work for the city as part of this year’s production
Adrian Watson
Councillor Marie Boulton, Aberdeen City Council’s culture spokesperson, said “What a fantastic opportunity for local people to be part of Nuart Aberdeen this year. The wall, which we hope will be the biggest ‘Paste Up’ gallery in the world will be a unique piece for the city and regardless of age or ability."
"The public will create their posters and to submit them to be included. Then the team will post them alongside posters created by international artists. I’m looking forward to seeing all the submissions. It will be so interesting to see what the people of Aberdeen and the North-East say and create for the wall.”
How to take part in Stuck Up
As long as they are not massively offensive Nuart will use all submissions for the wall. As a result you can easily get involved by creating your own posters, poems, print outs, photos and collages. Send them to: STUCK UP, THE ANATOMY ROOMS, MARISCHAL COLLEGE, SHOE LANE, ABERDEEN, AB10 1AN.
The wall will be produced during the month of July 2021. Read about Indie's McCue's Look Again project.