Chorlton’s gallery of street art has a colourful new exhibit that gives a nod to Chorlton’s equally colourful cultural history.
This fabulous mural, created by artist Qubek, was recently completed. It pays tribute Cosgrove Hall, the world-famous animation studio which used to be based on Albany Road in Chorlton.
For the benefit of our younger readers….
Cosgrove Hall produced a string of fantastic children’s programmes including Chorlton and the Wheelies (1976) Fenella was the wicked witch in Wheelie World, who lived inside a kettle. Her evil minions include the ‘Toadies’ – the spotted toadstools with beady eyes that you can see in the painting. The green chap on the left represents Toad, a character from BAFTA- and Emmy-winning The Wind in the Willows (1983), a tale of spring cleaning, dangerous driving, washerwomen and unruly weasels. And on the right, riding the heron, is Count Duckula (1988). A secret ceremony in which an idiot nanny confuses blood with ketchup results in the birth of a vegetarian vampire duck, the latest – and very definitely the least deadly – of his family line. Cosgrove Hall also created Danger Mouse, Jamie and the Magic Torch, Avenger Penguins and loads more. They’re a really important story in Chorlton’s history.
HUGE thanks are due to Mosscare St Vincent (the Housing association who own the hoardings, behind which they’re building new flats). Also to Pete, Allan and Manchester City Council’s Neighbourhoods Team; our Chorlton councillors; and the tirelessly persuasive Street Art Team at Chorlton Civic Society
And of course, the artist himself – the quite brilliant Russell Meehan, aka Qubek. You can also see his work elsewhere in Chorlton too.
Street Art
We’ve been working with Chorlton Civic Society to encourage businesses to commission public art for walls, gable ends, junction boxes, hoardings and more. We firmly believe that when a place looks loved, it is loved and stays cleaner for longer. Visit our website – chorltonstreetart.co.uk to learn more about the art and the artists in Chorlton. You’ll also find great advice (including a sample contract) if you want to commission art on your own patch.
We (Chorlton Traders and Chorlton Civic Society) are not making or taking commission on any works or introductions – all of this is being done voluntarily, because we all want Chorlton to be a brighter place!