See time lapse video of striking mural celebrating Sunderland + win T-shirts
and live on Freeview channel 276
Inspired by her home city’s skyline and landmark buildings, Kathryn Robertson’s distinctive murals can be seen across Wearside, at locations such as the Elephant Tea Rooms, The Little Shop and at the new Vaux Taproom.
Now she’s used her skills to create a piece at the Roker End Cafe, within the ALS building in Sheepfolds Industrial Estate, which has also been replicated on T-shirts being sold from the store.
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Hide AdKathryn uses an acrylic paint pen to create each of her works, with no two being the same.
She explained: “I don’t plan the murals, I just try and use as many local landmarks as possible so that each one is unique. Elephant Tea Rooms is one of my favourite buildings in the city as it’s so different and ornate, so I often include that, but I’ve started including newer structures such as the Northern Spire too.”
As well as murals, Kathryn produces prints, tea towels and tote bags of her designs, which are sold at places such as the Museum and Winter Gardens shop.
At the beginning of the first Lockdown she released a Sunderland print which raised £4,500 for Sunderland Foodbanks.
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Hide AdAlthough the creative industries have been hit particularly hard by the pandemic, Kathryn says there’s definitely been a surge of interest in artworks celebrating people’s local areas.
She said: “It’s mint when you see someone carrying a bag with one of your designs on. I love seeing where the online orders come from too and all the different parts of the country where people have the prints.”
Martyn McFadden from ALS says they too have noticed an increased appetite for Sunderland products.
He said: “People definitely want to support their local businesses, local products and local artists. We used to just sell football merchandise, but there’s an increase in interest for Sunderland heritage items, people are definitely appreciating their home cities more because of the pandemic.
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Hide Ad"We already have artworks on the outside of the shop from Frank Styles and wanted to do something inside and Kathryn’s work is the perfect fit.”
Merchandise printing business Merch Bitch occupies the first floor of the ALS building and has had huge success producing merchandise, and running merchandise operations, for big music names such as Sam Fender, Charlie XCX and Catfish & the Bottlemen, as well as a whole host of North East artists and businesses.
Owner Joe McFadden has produced a series of screen-printed grey t-shirts featuring Kathryn’s print, which are for sale priced £20 in the ALS shop and online at a-love-supreme.com
WIN
We have two t-shirts to give away in a size of your choice.
To be in with a chance of winning one, answer this question: what is the name of the cafe housed within the ALS building?
A:: Fulwell End Cafe
B:: Roker End Cafe
C:: Clock Stand Cafe
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Hide AdEmail your answer, name, address and choice of t-shirt size, ranging from small to xxl, to [email protected] by Monday, July 12.
Usual JPI Media competition rules apply.