Street Art: Images through the generations inspired by World War One

Art work created by Liam Dean

Local street artist Liam Dean has created a billboard sized art work reflecting the thoughts and words of the community through the generations.

Wishing to reflect the multicultural nature of the borough and to gather the generations together for a cohesive, creative art work, Harry Mills from the Lancashire Veteran’s Association met with students from Matthew Moss High School and Holy Family RC & CE College in Rochdale Central Library to create poetry that Liam could work his images from.

To set the mood, poetry by Wilfred Owen; Dulce Et Decorum Est, Siegfried Sassoon; The General and John McCrae; In Flanders Fields were shared with the students.

Ray Stearn, Young Person’s Library Worker with Rochdale Borough Libraries, created two poems from the words of the students for Liam to work with. The final art work was then filmed as the painting took place to capture the moment while reflecting on the events of 100 years ago.

The film of Liam Dean creating his stunning piece is now available, with a short description of the project:

http://www.historypin.com/en/explore/first-world-war-centenary/the-digital-war-memorial/street-art/

(Film created by Peopleprint inspired by the words of pupils from Matthew Moss High School and Holy Family RC and CE College).

The final piece of work, which is three panels amounting to eight foot by 12 foot, will be mounted on one of the walls in Number One Riverside, along with the poems and an explanation of the project.

Councillor Alan McCarthy, Rochdale Council Armed Forces Lead Member, said: ”Liam, has taken the inspiration from working with the schools and Veterans and incorporated his vision into an outstanding and amazing piece of art work.”