A new artwork celebrating the history of the River Foss has been installed in Piccadilly in York.
Commissioned by York BID, the 50-metre-wide installation has been designed by local artist Rob Stothert in partnership with York Civic Trust. The digital mural now wraps the long-empty Castle Mills hoarding, turning a former graffiti hotspot into a vibrant work of art.
The digital mural is the largest public art commission in York and celebrates York’s status as a UNESCO City of Media Arts. It’s part of the York Art Trail, launched by York BID to enrich the city with public art that celebrates York’s culture, history, and people.
Carl Alsop, Operations Manager at York BID, said:
‘‘This has been an exciting project to see come to life. Our Cleaning Team works hard every day to maintain the city, but this goes a step further – using art to prevent persistent graffiti and transform a neglected space into something people can really enjoy.’
The River Foss mural is a continuation of York BID’s Outside the Box project, the mini murals that can be found on the electrical boxes across Piccadilly, Coppergate, and Fishergate.
Artist Rob Stothert said:
‘This artwork celebrates the flora and fauna of the River Foss, alongside the rich stories that have shaped York. It’s been wonderful to explore and bring those elements together in such a visible way.’
