Five Minutes With… Quayside Mural Artist Andy Welland
We talk to artist Andy Welland about his new mural on Newcastle's Quayside
Every summer since 2022, the team here at NE1 commissions an artist to transform the former bus lane at Wesley Square into a riot of colour with a vibrant mural as part of our Summer in the City programme.
This year, Doncaster-born artist Andy Welland – known for his colourful and kaleidoscopic works – brings his talents to the Toon with a vivid and eye-catching mural stretching more than 90 metres along the banks of the Tyne.
We had a chat with Andy to find out more about his art and what inspired the design of his Quayside mural.
What made you decide to become an artist?
That’s a great question! I think it was just inherent in what I wanted to do as a kid. I was always making collages and just had a sort of creative brain as such. I wasn’t that academic and just always wanted to make something and do something new. After school, I was actually a graphic designer for 10 years. I did a Fine Art degree at university and now I’ve come full circle and I’m doing art again.
Who are your artist heroes and inspirations?
One of my artist influences is Bridget Riley through her use of colour, colours connecting and making collages. Another is Robert Rauschenberg – another collage artist – and then more modern artists like KORS.
If you had to describe your art in three words, what would they be?
Bright, colourful and optimistic.
You incorporate a lot of pink in your designs – what is it about the colour that you love so much?
What I love about pink is that it’s so fun. It’s my favourite colour just because it sits between every other shade and it’s just fun and optimistic. I think it can also be quite political as it kind of plays with gender – it’s traditionally for girls but it’s also my favourite colour! I think it plays with the rules of what colour should be.
What inspired the design of your Quayside mural?
The inspiration behind this particular piece of work was the city, really – the people of Newcastle, different cultures, things coming together and colliding. It's the amazing architecture all around, all the bridges, the river, the music, the people and just the attitude of the city really. I didn’t want it to drip-feed things into people’s imaginations, but be something playful that they can make of it what they will.
Why do you think street art and murals are important in a city like Newcastle?
I think they are great for cities because they are free art and connect to people in different ways. Somebody might never have been brave enough to go to a gallery or had the opportunity to but street art and murals are something for everybody to enjoy in various shapes and forms.
Andy Welland’s mural will be in place at Wesley Square on Newcastle’s Quayside for the duration of summer. To find out more about Andy and his art visit www.andywelland.com.
