Newcastle Quayside Mural Artist Returns to the Region as Part of New Collaboration with Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art

An artist whose 90m street art mural wowed visitors to the Newcastle quayside last year is returning to the region this spring to launch a new collaboration with Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art.

Sheffield-based artist Andy Welland - famous for his bright and colourful prints, collages and paintings - will be unveiling a new series of artworks and products for sale as part of a special pop up shop at Baltic, which runs from 12 April to 28 September 2025.

Entitled Colour, Play and Everything In-Between, the pop up shop will transform the main window at Baltic Shop with a series of 12 paintings inspired by the colours and shapes seen through a kaleidoscope. Inside Baltic Shop’s exhibition space will be a collection of new prints and paintings inspired by Andy’s Loose Ends series, and a special series of merchandise has also been created, including a Baltic tote bag and range of pin badges.

Artist Andy Welland said: “Play has always been an important part of my work, and this collaboration is all about celebrating that unique, special feeling that comes from exploring life through play. I first started creating art by playing around with colours, forms and shapes, and that joy and freedom of expression you get when you’re playing is something I always want to capture.

“I use a range of materials, including plasticine, in my work, as well as other techniques that create a tactile effect. I want people to experience the human element of creating art and experience that feeling of standing in front of something and seeing how someone’s hands have made it.”

A Fine Arts graduate and former graphic designer for international communications agency M&C Saatchi, Andy’s work incorporates his passion for shapes, colours and forms into artworks that encourage people to slow down and consider the story behind each work.

Andy continued: “There’s a fine line between graphic design and art. The artistic side is all about telling the story behind the image, and making people feel something through its craft and detail.”

Sara Ley, Head of Trading at Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, said: “Andy’s use of bold and bright colours makes his work so impactful and pleasing to the eye. Anyone that visited the Newcastle quayside last year will know how vibrant and exciting his artwork is.

“Now that spring has officially arrived, I can’t think of a better time to showcase his joyful and energetic work.”

All the items featured in Colour, Play and Everything In-Between will be available to buy. They include a brand new series of smaller A6 and A5 artworks, as well as a larger, exclusive A3 print made especially for Baltic Shop.

Colour, Play and Everything In-Between by Andy Welland opens at Baltic Shop on Saturday 12 April and runs until Sunday 28 September 2025.

For more information visit baltic.art

Image: © Andy Welland, Owen Richards