A new mural celebrating the industrial past of Sunderland has recently been unveiled at Millfield Tyne and Wear Metro Station. The colourful and thought provoking piece of artwork has been created with the input of local community groups and was commissioned by Sunderland Culture on behalf of Nexus as part of the Metro Community Takeover scheme, launched to commemorate 40 years of operation.
Artist Chad McCail, worked closely with Sunderland Culture to engage two community groups in and around the Millfield area to explore their experiences of living and working in Sunderland and their hopes for its future.
He commented: “The theme of the mural is community and the value of relationships. It takes the form of a storyboard which winds across the wall telling a story in pictures. While I was working in Sunderland it became apparent how much nostalgia there is for the industrial past and an understanding that there was then a more cohesive community life. In the story, long dead miners and shipyard workers rise from their graves to inspire the residents to begin to create a better world.”
He conducted workshops – which included puppet making and theatre – with Young Asian Voices (YAV) and Pallion Action Group to get their input and ideas before he set about the task of painting the giant mural.
Huw Lewis, Nexus Customer Services Director, said: “This amazing mural really brings a splash of colour to Millfield Metro station, while conveying some important messages about Sunderland’s industrial past and exciting future.
“The artist Chad McCail has done a brilliant job with the finished piece, and what’s even more exciting is that local community groups in the area have had the chance to provide their input. The mural will be seen by scores of Metro customers and we really hope that they like it and take a moment to have a look as they pass through.
“Our Art on Transport scheme has brought many varied commissions to the Metro network. This display at Millfield is the final part of our Metro Takeover, which has seen a range of different art and performing arts projects held across the system to helps us mark Metro’s 40th anniversary year.”