Everything You Need to Know About… Forth Lane Urban Gallery

What is the Forth Lane Urban Gallery? 

It’s an urban outdoor gallery featuring murals designed by six artists that run along the walls of Forth Lane (that’s the alleyway running from Westgate Road to Pink Lane for those not in the know) all centred around a certain theme that links to the area’s history. 

What is the theme of the Urban Gallery? 

The theme is ‘Pleasure Garden’ which is a nod to the fact that Forth Lane once led to a four-acre field used by the people of Newcastle for leisure and pleasure that was home to a playground, a dancing square, a sports field and a meeting place.  

Who came up with the idea? 

Forth Lane Urban Gallery is the brainchild of Creative Central NCL, a five-year project funded by Newcastle City Council and North East Combined Authority that aims to make Newcastle city centre a vibrant hub of creativity and culture in which artists and businesses can thrive.  

Urban Gallery is a project delivered in partnership with Newcastle Arts Centre, Project North East and NE1 and through it, Creative Central NCL hopes to breathe new life into the historic Forth Lane and bring back some of the tranquillity the area once had. 

Which artists feature in Forth Lane Urban Gallery? 

A total of six artists are involved in the project: stencil artist Chris Fleming; Glen Malpass, a street artist specialising in graffiti; illustrator Laura Sheldon (aka SHELDO); Jed Buttress, an award-winning investigative artist; painter Rebecca Purnell; and visual artist Tallulah Lines.  

What does each artist mural depict? 

Glen Malpass has created a vibrant, large-scale mural of flora and fauna that greets passers-by at the Westgate Road end of Forth Lane while Chris Fleming’s work features portraits of two Newcastle residents donning headpieces inspired by nature.

Tallulah Lines’ mural, meanwhile, is a bright, bold and surreal piece depicting two tigers and inspired by the freedom and joy of nature which sits next to Jed Buttress’ work – a 3D mural resembling historical carvings inspired by Newcastle. 

Laura Sheldon’s green-themed work takes inspiration from Victorian pleasure gardens but incorporates a bold and modern twist and, finally, Rebecca Purnell’s wonderfully detailed piece features ordinary people of Newcastle becoming one with nature. 

Forth Lane Urban Gallery is a welcome addition to Newcastle’s street art scene so next time you’re in the area, why not take a stroll down the alley and soak up its amazing new artworks? 

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Featured image: Glen Malpass' Forth Lane mural, Photo by Dave Charnley