Mural causes a flutter in Market Hall
Dubbed 'The Banksy of the Bird World”' an acclaimed artist has painted a giant mural inside Shrewsbury Market Hall to celebrate the story of a rare heron that famously made its home in the town’s Quarry Park Dingle for several months.
Matt Sewell, whose work has been exhibited all over the world, chose the Market Hall for the urban artwork in honour of the American black-crowned night heron that mysteriously appeared in Shrewsbury in the summer of 2017.
Matt is an avid ornithologist and celebrated artist, illustrator and author. His artwork is known for its depiction of birds and he is the author of a series of best-selling illustrated books about birds.
Like the famous Banksy, he is also a graffiti artist and loves to paint large outdoor murals in urban settings. His graffiti art features in Belfast, Sheffield, Manchester and London as well as Shrewsbury.
“The Market Hall is a vibrant part of Shrewsbury that I thought would be perfect to show some love to the black-crowned night heron.” said Matt, who has been studying and painting birds for most of his life.
Market Hall Facilities Manager Kate Gittins said that when Matt asked whether he could paint the mural, she was thrilled to accept.
“I’ve been aware of Matt’s books for years and know that he’s incredibly popular so when he asked to paint a mural on the Market Hall’s gallery level walls, I leapt at the chance. We were flattered. It’s wonderful, especially as it’s been inspired by the heron’s visit to Shrewsbury,” she said.
The mural has been painted in Matt’s trademark pop-art style in two parts, either side of the central stairwell, at The Bellstone end of the building. It depicts the heron – distinctive with black and white plumage – nestling in the trees with goldfinches that are commonly seen in The Dingle.
‘Noddy the Night Heron’, as he was nicknamed by local people, lived in The Dingle for seven months. Twitchers from far and wide descended to catch a glimpse of the mystery bird.
But concerns about his health and survival over winter led to him being taken in by Cuan Wildlife Rescue last November.
Matt, 41, is originally from the North East. He moved to Shrewsbury from Brighton with his family seven years ago. He has illustrated for The V&A, Barbour, Levis, The Guardian newspaper and many other national publications. He is a regular contributor to the Caught By The River website and his art has been exhibited in London, Manchester, New York, Tokyo, and Paris.
In 2012 he released his first best-selling illustrated book ‘Our Garden Birds’ and has since followed up with the titles ‘Our Woodland Birds’, ‘Our Songbirds’, ‘Owls’, ‘Penguins & Other Seabirds’ and ‘A Charm of Goldfinch’.
