The Stonebow in York has got a new look – as York Bid unveiled their new public art project today.
The eye-catching mini murals along the Stonebow aim to celebrate York’s rich history of stained glass.
The ‘Outside the Box’ project has been commissioned by York Bid, and brought to life by York street artist Harriet Wood, known as Hazard One.
The project is in partnership with Explore York Libraries and Archives, York Civic Trust and York Glaziers Trust, and was made possible through a grant from The National Archives, aimed at increasing archive engagement.
Take a look at our video to see Carl Alsop, operations manager at York Bid, chat with YorkMix‘s Laura Castle and share more out ‘Outside the Box’.
“I’m really happy with how we’ve managed to combine the contemporary with the history,” said Carl.
“So far the feedback has been entirely positive. If people like it then we’ll see if we can find another bit of forgotten history that we can bring to life in different areas, whether it be Micklegate, or Goodramgate or Walmgate.”
The exchange boxes along the Stonebow have been transformed to showcase the work of J. W. Knowles & Sons, a family firm of church decorators, glass painters, and stained-glass restorers based in Stonegate in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Their work can still be seen in York today, and the Knowles collection is held Explore York Archives – which includes over 3,000 glass plate negatives and lantern slides.
HazardOne has reimagined Explore’s Knowles collection, using free-hand graffiti techniques to create the murals.
“Having grown up in York this project feels like a really special one to me,” said Harriet. “I remember going on school trips to the Minster and learning about stained glass, so to come back home to do a project based entirely around York’s amazing catalogue of stained glass has been a treat.
“Everyone has been so complimentary about them – I think a splash of colour is what we could do with this summer!”
Outside the Box is the latest addition to the York Bid Mural Trail, an ongoing programme to tell stories that reflect York’s unique history and identity through public art.
Take a look at some of the mini murals below.
Gallery
