Visitors to the Underbanks’ are in for a real surprise as four stunning works of art by renowned and local artists have been installed in the area, thanks to funding by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Totally Stockport.

After an initial tender was published in April 2021, a total of 33 submissions were received from artists across the country. The brief specified that the artwork should have a strong focus on storytelling, and links to the history of the Underbanks, it’s people, the future, and growth.

The four chosen artists showcase different design styles and subject matters. The varying designs, styles and fanbases of each artist helps create intrigue in the area and attract a diverse audience to Stockport.

The artwork also allows people to engage with the history of the Underbanks in a more Covid-friendly manner.

The map to the right shows were the street art is located.

3. The Underbanks Mural 

The Underbanks mural was painted by Qubek and is located opposite the Cracked Actor on Little Underbank.

This mural includes fish and flowers to signify the Tin Brook that runs below, as well as other objects synonymous with the Underbanks area. The vibrant design features fauna and flora at its heart will add a much-needed sense of the natural world to the built-up environment.

Qubek is a local street artist based in Manchester, who spent his formative years living in Stockport. He has been active in Manchester for over 18 years, working on a number of large-scale murals including some of the city’s best loved artworks, such as ’22 Bees’ which commemorates those who lost their lives in the Manchester Arena attack.

You can find out more about Qubek on his website.

4. Garden Tiger Moth Mural

The Garden Tiger Moth mural was painted by Paintsmiths in collaboration with Cheshire Wildlife Trust. The mural is located on Lower Hillgate opposite Robinson’s Brewery.

Paintsmiths of Bristol, are highly-skilled mural artists with a background in graffiti and street art. Their professional experience also spans other disciplines including fine art, scenery painting, graphic design and illustration.

The moth design was chosen by Cheshire Wildlife Trust to raise awareness of this endangered local species. The location of the moth mural, opposite Robinsons Brewery, is symbolic as moths act as overnight pollinators for a wide range of flowers and plants.

You can find out more about Paintsmiths on their website.

Click here to find out more about the Cheshire Wildlife Trust.

5. Water Mural

The Water Mural was created by local artists Sally Gilford, Tasha Whittle and Anne Louise Kershaw, and is located on the steps next to the Queens Head.

The art includes a poem inspired by water and the Underbanks which reads:

running clear from Stockport to the sea

we are the source of the string

you can put a well pretty much anywhere

in Stockport

and life will come

from it

this

is where things

begin 

In terms of design, the artwork features wildflowers native to Stockport which can be found growing beside waterways such as the Tin Brook.

A variety of print and illustration methods have been used on the artwork including gel printing to emulate a traditional Victorian botanical sketch aesthetic, like the kind found in botanical books sold at bookshops in the Underbanks at this time.