A colourful new piece of artwork has brought a splash of colour to a Metro station in Sunderland.
The mural at Millfield station, near the south bank of the River Wear, was created by the Scottish-based artist Chad McCail and celebrates the industrial past of the north-eastern city as well as its cultural revival. It is a bright but thought-provoking addition to the station.
McCail, who is originally from Manchester, staged an exhibition of his work in Sunderland in 2020, and has been featured in galleries in Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, New York and Baltimore.
Two local community groups had significant input into the project which was commissioned by Sunderland Culture on half of Nexus, the operator of the Metro, as part of its Metro Community Takeover project which celebrates 40 years since the Metro started operations.
The community groups – Young Asian Voices (YAV) and Pallion Action Group – were encouraged to explore their experiences of living and working in Sunderland, linking them to their hopes for the future. McCail conducted workshops – which included puppet making and theatre – with he groups to get their input before he set about creating the giant mural.
The finished work touches on current concerns such as the cost of living crisis while searching for a different, kinder and more sustainable way of life.
Chad McCail said: “The theme of the mural is community and the value of relationships. It takes the form of a storyboard which winds across the wall telling a story in pictures. While I was working in Sunderland it became apparent how much nostalgia there is for the industrial past and an understanding that there was then a more cohesive community life. In the story, long dead miners and shipyard workers rise from their graves to inspire the residents to begin to create a better world.”
Rebecca Ball, Chief Executive Officer of Sunderland Culture, added: “Sunderland Culture has thoroughly enjoyed working in partnership with Nexus, local community groups and artist Chad McCall on the project to create this large-scale mural at Millfield Metro Station.
“It was important to us that the local community was genuinely involved in the project, and Chad's engagement with Pallion Action Group and Young Asian Voices provided him with real insights into the city. He spent a good deal of time exploring the life experiences of local people and talking to them about the city's past and their hopes for its future. The beautiful mural Chad has produced has a real message around community, relationships and looking forward – and I'm sure it will be enjoyed for generations to come.”
Customer Services Director at Nexus, Huw Lewis, said: “This amazing mural really brings a splash of colour to Millfield Metro station, while conveying some important messages about Sunderland's industrial past and exciting future. The artist Chad McCail has done a brilliant job with the finished piece, and what's even more exciting is that local community groups in the area have had the chance to provide their input.
“The mural will be seen by scores of Metro customers and we really hope that they like it and take a moment to have a look as they pass through. Our Art on Transport scheme has brought many varied commissions to the Metro network. This display at Millfield is the final part of our Metro Takeover, which has seen a range of different art and performing arts projects held across the system to helps us mark Metro's 40th anniversary year.”
