Cities of Hope: NQ Turns Canvas For Street Artists

EVER since gaining popularity during the 1980s graffiti boom, street art is shaking off its ruinous connotations -emerging from society’s dark underbelly into a public celebration of artistry and innovation. With street art tours and festivals now a regular calendar staple, and icons like Banksy gaining cult status, the genre is finally enjoying a well-deserved heyday both as respected art form and social statement. 

Cities need a human touch… Not adverts and billboards

Cities of Hope is a case in point. Hitting the Northern Quarter from 21-29 May, the inaugural street art convention will bring together nine of the world’s leading street artists; each creating a mural inspired by a global issue, which will be matched to a chosen local charity. Through dynamic art and a host of insightful events, the grassroots organisations involved hope to raise a minimum of £100K, whilst the NQ will be transformed into an explosive canvas of colour. 

Hyuro’s social justice issue is war children. The Argentinean artist is famed for her use of faceless bodies to portray those - like refugees - who society can render lost and will be supporting young people’s charity 42^nd street. 

Hyuro

Conflict is Pichiavo’s chosen theme. The Spanish graffiti duo are championing Guns to Goods, a community interest company that creates artistic artefacts from recycled guns, and are known for rendering ancient mythological figures against a chaotic graffiti backdrop.  

Pichiavo

He may not have the nicest moniker but Phlegm is fast becoming a household name in the eccentric world of street art. Having developed his illustrations in self-published comics, his fantastical black and white creatures can now be seen gracing previously neglected spaces everywhere from Slovakia to Sri Lanka. With sustainability as his Cities of Hope focus, the Sheffield-born artist’s chosen charity is the Ancoats Dispensary Trust.   

Phlegm

Hulme Community Garden Centre reflects Martin Whatson’s issue of environment. Contrasting stark monochromatic stencils with vibrant graffiti accents, the whimsical Norwegian artist likes to leave viewers to their own conclusions. 

Martin Whatson

With Manchester in the grip of a homelessness epidemic, charities like Lifeshare - which works to break the cycle for vulnerable people in Manchester and Salford - are more relevant than ever. French artist C215 will be supporting the organisation through his evocative spray painting, which captures those on the periphery of mainstream society.  

C215

Whilst we’ve seen considerable progress in gay rights since the turn of the century, there’s still a long way to go - as highlighted by Partisan Collective, an LGBT charity which will be represented in Cities of Hope by South African artist Faith 47. She says: “Cities need a human touch… Not adverts and billboards. We as people need to see what people are thinking and feeling… Not what the advertisers would like us to be thinking and feeling”. 

Faith 47

Swiss duo Nevercrew, in aid of immigration and refugees, will be decorating NQ with their surreal yet substantive life forms for Manchester charity Women Asylum Seekers Together.

Nevercrew

Existentialism is Alex Void’s chosen issue, with the American-born painter showcasing his classic portraiture in support of Young Identity - a Moss Side-based writing project for young people that encourages critical thinking and active citizenship.  

Axel Void

Last but certainly not least, German artist Case - one of four members of the acclaimed Maclaim Crew - will be using his iconic photorealism to help Manchester-based charity Back on Track, which supports adults in recovery or rehabilitation. 

Case

Alongside special guests like Dale Grimshaw, the formidable nine will be joined by several renowned artists whose work you can already find dotted around Manchester, including: Mateus Bailon, Jay Sharples, Nomad Clan, Akse and Tank Petrol. 

Meanwhile, events spanning tours to discussions on the city’s cultural development to monster exhibitions will put the works in context - revealing the motivations behind each and the global issues at their core. 

Nine days, nine murals, nine beacons of hope.

Find out more about Cities of Hope here

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