The mural created by Merseyside artist BREZ, short for Brezaux, honours Captain Mike Lowe, who is one of the Mersey’s most respected ferry captains.
This visual art, which can be found at the Master Mariner Bar, marks the first public project by New Brighton Creative Futures a community interest company using creative, design and collaboration to tell local stories, bring pride to the town and inspiration to young people.
Rory Wilmer, Director of Creative Futures, said: “It was very emotional and made lots of memories and thoughts so that is really impactful.
“I think that’s the power of street art, it makes people stop and look and start talking and you can bring strangers together to look at something and start a conversation.
“That’s why we believe that street art has a very powerful positive impact for the community and bringing back a bit of pride to the town.”
Steel company Cammell Laird and The Guide Liverpool are key sponsors of the project and have applied for funding from the arts council and other government funding pots.
Wilmer added: “This is just the beginning, and one part of what we are doing now is looking at how to protect and preserve the existing murals in New Brighton.
“We think it’s really important to look after and restore them and make sure they’re maintained and that they have a legacy because some of them have been up for seven years now and they’re almost like heritage pieces in themselves.”
Street Artist Brezaux said: “I was quite nervous, it’s whenever you are doing a portrait for someone, the first thing that comes to your head is I’ve got to get this right.”
When asked about future artworks, he told Mersey News Live: “I think this is the next stage, getting more walls and celebrating the community and you know it’s the history of Wallasey and New Brighton and the surrounding area.”
This project is only the first of a new wave of public artworks planned to celebrate the people and creativity that defines the town.
Featured Image: Diana Quintal
