The 1980s saw the worst run-down of Sheffield's steel industry. Once hailed as the undisputed iron, steel and cutlery capital of the world, the industrial failure and collapse coincided with the collapse of coal mining in the area and was made worse by increasing automation and competition from abroad. For years, the empty factory buildings around the city became derelict and served as painful reminders of their once glorious past. But not anymore.
Recently, Sheffield has been attracting resident and visiting artists who are making the city's brick walls and old industrial sites their preferred canvas to display their work. These colourful and poignant urban aesthetics are slowly generating public interest with numerous local blogs showing interactive maps highlighting the graffiti hotspots.
I have recently become a fan after visiting the Printing Sheffield museum exhibition at the city's Millennium Galleries and recognising the works of Phlegm, a well-known artist that I have seen all over the city. It has fuelled a desire to hunt down these splashes of art around the city and last Friday, before we met up with friends at the Children's Library in town, I wheeled the pram with my D60 in search for them.
The walk is concentrated around Division Street in the west of the city. This shopping area, with its rows of independent business is a busy student hub especially on a warm and sunny day when the students congregate around Devonshire Green, the only large green space in the city centre. The vibrant international student population, reported to pump £120m in the city's economy every year, has brought a much needed regeneration in this part of the city. But this is a part of the city that we have not really explored.
This is the map of our walk, taken from Google maps.
Getting off the tram at West Street, we walked down Westhill Lane, a small street lined with rubbish bins and saw this art installation by Kid Acne called Stabby Woman.
A bit further on, at the back of a row of buildings occupied by shops fronting Division Street was this work of Phlegm called Rare and Racy.
At the end of this short lane, where it merges with Division Street, are these two works of art, The Little Dancers and John Peel by unknown artists:
At the intersection of Trafalgar and Wellington Street which runs parallel to Division Street is an abandoned construction site which has now become a gallery of street arts from various artists.
Walking up Wellington Street to the right, more graffiti have been sprayed in a car park at the back of the halted development.
Then at the intersection and on the walls of Mint Boutique are the graphic works of Trik 9. Further on, along Westfield Terrace is another wall installation by Phlegm.
Then walking back along Division Street is a work of an unknown artist in the walls of the Great Gatsby Bar.
Recently, Sheffield has been attracting resident and visiting artists who are making the city's brick walls and old industrial sites their preferred canvas to display their work. These colourful and poignant urban aesthetics are slowly generating public interest with numerous local blogs showing interactive maps highlighting the graffiti hotspots.
I have recently become a fan after visiting the Printing Sheffield museum exhibition at the city's Millennium Galleries and recognising the works of Phlegm, a well-known artist that I have seen all over the city. It has fuelled a desire to hunt down these splashes of art around the city and last Friday, before we met up with friends at the Children's Library in town, I wheeled the pram with my D60 in search for them.
The walk is concentrated around Division Street in the west of the city. This shopping area, with its rows of independent business is a busy student hub especially on a warm and sunny day when the students congregate around Devonshire Green, the only large green space in the city centre. The vibrant international student population, reported to pump £120m in the city's economy every year, has brought a much needed regeneration in this part of the city. But this is a part of the city that we have not really explored.
This is the map of our walk, taken from Google maps.
Getting off the tram at West Street, we walked down Westhill Lane, a small street lined with rubbish bins and saw this art installation by Kid Acne called Stabby Woman.
A bit further on, at the back of a row of buildings occupied by shops fronting Division Street was this work of Phlegm called Rare and Racy.
At the intersection of Trafalgar and Wellington Street which runs parallel to Division Street is an abandoned construction site which has now become a gallery of street arts from various artists.
Walking up Wellington Street to the right, more graffiti have been sprayed in a car park at the back of the halted development.
Then at the intersection and on the walls of Mint Boutique are the graphic works of Trik 9. Further on, along Westfield Terrace is another wall installation by Phlegm.
Then walking back along Division Street is a work of an unknown artist in the walls of the Great Gatsby Bar.
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