By Sophie Swain
A popular Liverpool City Region street artist is painting a mural for the Southport Flower Show’s 100th anniversary event.
Paul Curtis, who created the UK’s largest street art outside London when he painted the sand lizard mural at Toad Hall in Ainsdale and who painted the famous Red Rum mural in Southport,
has been commissioned for a special piece.
He is in the middle of creating a floral tribute to celebrate the 100th anniversary show, working with Alan, the Flower Show manager. The mural is around 14 metres wide and 4 metres high, big pieces of artwork are Paul’s speciality.
He’s been working on the piece for around eight days now, working 9-5 most days but it is dependent on the weather. The mural is due to be finished in around two days’ time, ahead of the
opening.
Paul said: “I’ve loved working on the mural. Victoria Park is a lovely environment to work in. I planned out the art on my laptop beforehand, it’s easy to move and change things that way.
“With floral tributes, once you start painting, you get a feel for where the flowers and leaves should go. I’ve had a lot of freedom in this piece.”
With the Flower Show set to take place in just under a week, Paul said it has been exciting to see the park getting ready for the popular four-day event.
“It’s been great to see everyone setting up and getting prepared. Everyone seems to love it so far and it’s not even finished. I mean, it is on a 1970’s toilet block so anything is better than that!” He joked.
After a few days rest once he has completed the artwork, Paul will be returning to Southport for the show, where he hopes people will ask him about his work.
“It would be great to chat to people and have them ask questions about my murals. They’re very welcome to come along, I’ll be in one of the tents working on canvases.”
When asked if this is his favourite mural he has done in Southport, Paul said his favourite will always be Red Rum! The mural is a tribute to the most famous racehorse in the world, located at the Marine Drive in Southport.
Although no projects in place at the moment, Paul said “There’s no doubt I’ll be back to Southport in the next few months.
“The town has been through a lot and I hope the Flower Show will be a bit of enjoyment and respite that the community deserves.”
To see Paul’s artwork, you can visit his website here: https://www.paulcurtisartwork.com/
