Newcasle’s city centre boasts some incredible street art, but a lot of it is hidden.
How often do you really take in the streets of Newcastle? I’ll admit, when I’m in town my head is usually down, headphones in and moving too quickly to realise what’s around me.
I can’t remember the last time I wandered around, looking up and walking around corners I’ve yet to visit. As it turns out, there is so much to see.
Our friends over at Fabulous North curate and archive the most incredible parts of the North East, revealing the hidden meanings behind our culture, buildings and art.
Newcastle’s street art is fascinating, from the graffiti completed just last week to the hidden statues that have lurked on cathedral walls for hundreds of years.
So here is a list of some of Newcastle’s quirkiest offerings. From dozens of hidden invader street art to a Iron Man puppet once used by Pete Townshend
Next time in town, you’re going to want to look up.
Our friends over at Fabulous North curate and archive the most incredible parts of the North East, revealing the hidden meanings behind our culture, buildings and art.
5. River God Tyne
Found on the side of the Civic Centre, Newcastle City Council commissioned David Wynne to create the sculpture in 1968. The notion of a God of the Tyne dates all the way back to the Roman’s who believed all rivers were home to a deity that blessed the local community. This belief has been passed down through Geordie generations thanks to the prosperity and wealth the river brought to the region through shipbuilding. Originally, a stream of water was supposed to trickle downwards from his raised right arm, but this has seemingly been stopped. Photo: Fabulous North
6. Man with Potential Selves
Perhaps the best known among Geordies, Man with Potential Selves is an absolute classic. Comprised of three statues- Standing Man, Walking Man and Floating Man- the aim of the Grainger Street art is to show the different aspects and egos of the Newcastle working man. The statues were commissioned by the Grainger Town Partnership and unveiled in March 2003. Photo: Fabulous North
7. Ouseburn Art
Ouseburn is the widely thought to be the cultural centre of Newcastle and the walls of incredible street art reflect this. This piece is by Mysterious Al on Lime Street alongside Mul’s distinctive heart motif which can be seen all over the city. Mul’s “Young Hearts Run Free” by the Quayside entrance to the Ouseburn is perhaps his most well-known. The art is forever changing too, with walls and buildings continually being updated by new street artists. Photo: Fabulous North
8. Chimney Mill
Now, technically not street art but too weird and wonderful not to show, Chimney Mill was built in 1782 and was the first five sailed smock style windmill to be built in Britain and remains the only one left in the North East. Opposite Claremont Road Car Park on top of a row of terraced houses, the windmill is Grade II listed. It was decommissioned in 1891 and then in 1924 the sails were removed with the fan tail being dismantled around 10 years later. It was then converted to a club house for a nearby golf course. In the 1970s the building was restored and in 1980 it was taken over by Claremont Controls, playing host to a number of businesses. Photo: Fabulous North
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