HAILING from Montpellier, France, Florence Blanchard (also known by her artist moniker ema) has had her work splashed across buildings and trains in Paris, Barcelona, New York and now, Manchester.
Since the wall was launched at our 2012 Canal Festival it has become known for contemporary art"
Her newest piece spans the three metre high and 30 metre long wall on Tariff Street, Piccadilly Basin, close to the home of the Manchester street art scene in the city’s Northern Quarter.
The artwork, produced using spray paints, gold paint and emulsion, has been designed to reflect the waterside location of the wall, with an abstract design layered over a camouflage of blues and greens.
Early stages
Finished
Florence was chosen by Mark Brennan from Manchester-based Yuck Print House, the project’s funder, who said: “I have known Florence for a long time and admired her work, which is always bright, colourful and eye catching. She has never painted in Manchester so this is a first for her and the city.”
Alex King, CityCo’s Partnership Director said: “It’s been fantastic to bring a new piece of public art to Piccadilly Basin. Since the wall was launched at our 2012 Canal Festival it has become known for contemporary art and this helps link Piccadilly Basin with its neighbour, the Northern Quarter. It’s great to host street art in this part of the city centre, home to the creative sector.”
Ema began in the early 90s as a graffiti writer and moved to New York in 2001 where she began to showcase in galleries. After spending a decade in the US, Blanchard made her way over to the UK, living in Sheffield for a period before moving more recently to Paris.
The artwork will be in place until 31 March 2014.
