The incredible North Shields murals - images by Wayne Bordoli
Eight large-scale murals, created by some of the UK’s most exciting street artists, are changing the face of North Shields. The striking artworks celebrate the town’s unique character and colourful history, as a highlight of the North Shields 800 celebrations, marking 800 years of North Shields’ rich history.
The Festival is being led by Elevation, a local arts charity founded by residents and powered by passionate volunteers. It is funded by the North East Combined Authority via North Shields 800, Stonebanks Investments, Karbon Homes, Adderstone Living, RW Mann Trust, with additional donations from art sales and local residents who have generously contributed to help bring this vision to life.
Elevation’s mission is to breathe new life into blank walls and create a renewed sense of pride and place in North Shields. The large-scale artworks are in iconic locations along the historic Fish Quay and in the heart of local communities. They are turning everyday spaces into landmarks of creativity and connection.
The talent on show is of the highest quality and follows a significant level of interest and submissions to paint the town.
All Artist Bios
Mul
Mul is an artist and creative director from Newcastle upon Tyne, best known for his large-scale outdoor murals, often featuring his well-known Running Heart character. His popularity has grown since the 2020 lockdown, thanks to a spontaneous, head-turning style that combines the universal appeal of cartoons with the raw energy of street art.
Instagram: @mul_draws | Website
Marcus Reed
Marcus is an illustrator with a long track record of working with some of the world’s biggest brands and has picked up several awards along the way. His geometric style is well-established and widely recognised, with work exhibited internationally at venues including Tate Modern, La Gaîté Lyrique in Paris, and Beijing Design Week. Though he typically works at a smaller scale, he’s excited to explore how his distinctive illustrative style can translate into a large-scale mural setting for this festival.
Instagram: @marcus_reed_art | Website
Anthony Downie
Anthony Downie is an artist and set builder based in North Shields. He began as a spray paint art teacher, running community mural projects and illustrating album artwork. He later moved into scenic work for theatre and events, including with Northern Stage and Live Theatre. In recent years, he has rediscovered painting, with his richly coloured images of local streets and buildings exhibited at venues including the Biscuit Factory, Baltic, and Woodhorn.
Instagram: @ad.paintingz | Website
KMG
KMG is a Scottish artist who has been creating street art for over two decades, working primarily with spray paint and masonry paint. Brought up on the stories of Northern Scotland, she draws inspiration from Celtic folklore to celebrate, revive, and reclaim overlooked local mythologies. Her distinctive, instantly recognisable work often features large figures and mythical creatures, prompting reflection on cultural identity and contemporary environments.
Instagram: @kmgyeah | Website
Ricky Also
Ricky Also is an artist and designer based in Bournemouth, with over 35 years in the graffiti and street art movements. His signature style combines bold, interlocking geometric typography with written messages for viewers to discover. He also runs the creative studio Paintshop, delivering commercial projects and producing the Upside outdoor gallery and MultiStories mural festival.
Instagram: @rickyalso | Website
Prefab77
Prefab77 is a North Shields–raised artist whose influences span England, California, and New York. After early training in printmaking and design with the British Army, he moved into fashion and branding in New York — a period that sparked his fascination with portraiture and the female form. He works in mixed media, using spray paint, stencils, screen printing, and hand-finished touches across both small and large formats. His recent monochrome murals have drawn significant attention for their striking visual impact.
Instagram: @prefab77 | Website
Nina Valkhoff
Nina Valkhoff is a muralist from Rotterdam who has been painting murals for over 23 years and has painted in 15 different countries so far. Her murals highlight flora and fauna, often featuring unknown or underappreciated animals. Sometimes she focuses on local species. Her work encourages viewers to appreciate wildlife and to treat animals with greater care.
Mark One87
Mark One87 is a mural and graffiti artist from North Shields. Blending bold graphic imagery with raw graffiti textures, his work reflects a background in graffiti, design, and illustration. He has created bespoke murals across the UK and is passionate about community arts, known for his generous spirit and skill in working with young people. In 2024, he founded Elements: Street Art Festival, Newcastle’s first street art–focused festival.
Instagram: @elements_streetartfest | Website
Contact details: https://elevationcio.com email: hello@elevationcio.com
Social media: Instagram