Ashford Unframed // Ashford Mural Festival

Brief: To coordinate and curate Ashfords first ever mural trial in collaboration with Ashford Borough Council and The London Mural Company.

The first festival of this kind in Ashford, a creative collaboration between Ashford Council, Accent London ltd and The London Mural Company. The festival introduced a curated trail of large scale, dynamic artworks across the town. These pieces were completed by a diverse range of internationally renowned artists with the aim of rebranding the town centre as a progressive creative and cultural hub with the hope of becoming an annual event bringing art lovers and creatives to Ashford on a regular basis.

Artists include Andy Welland, Alex Chinneck, Aspire, Charley Peters, Curtis Hylton, Mr Doodle, Vibes, Voyder and many more.

The Launch of the mural festival received wide media coverage by both local and countrywide news coverage. Mr Doodle was interviewed on BBC Newsnight in discussion with his piece and the Festival was nominated for the 'Best Culture and Arts Scheme' by the Town and City Management Awards 2023. 

TRAVERSE // Accent London x The London Mural Company

The first mural on the trail was installed at Coachworks, a cultural hub in Ashford that has a rich history housing coach builders to the royal household and Harrods. Using the legacy of this local business as inspiration, we designed a contemporary homage to the wheel tracks left by travelling coaches through Ashford. The vividly coloured, geometric design was painted over the bricked-up windows of the building, illuminating the remarkable listed building and bringing together a reference to Ashford's past with the visual energy of the present.

Ashford Icons // Tiny Beegle

Ashford based illustrator, painter, and graphic designer Tiny Beegle (Danielle Williamson) created an illustrative montage of iconic local landmarks to celebrate Ashford. Combined the Ashleaf, Willesborough windmill, Ashford’s celebrated WW1 tank, and the Victoria Park Fountain, Tiny Beegle painted a bold, graphic artwork that captures the rich history and sense of local pride in the town.
For more information about the inspiring work carried out by Danielle and the Made in Ashford team, visit here.

Too big for your boots // Alex Chinneck

British Sculptor Alex Chinneck makes works that challenge our understanding of space, materials, and perception. Using Ashford’s former Ocean cinema building as a canvas, Chinneck designed an intriguing mural that encourages onlookers to question the materiality and legacy of city architecture. The once grand cinema, now a symbol of architectural heritage, is transformed into an optical illusion of a laced-up shoe, intricately painted onto the weatherbeaten brick wall, todefy logic and reintroduce a sense of wonder to the now-empty building.

High Octane // Charley Peters

Artist Charley Peters made her painting “High Octane” in the car park of St Johns Lane, Ashford. Incorporating the unique configuration of the wall into her dynamic and optimistic artwork, Peters’ painting fuses art and architecture in a collision of high energy aesthetics and thoughtful conceptualisation. Located in an undervalued part of Ashford, Peters’ artwork transformed the environment from an undesirable passageway into a vibrant destination where everyone felt welcome and safe.

Flamboyant Fawn // Curtis Hylton

Muralist Curtis Hylton creates street art that relocates the beauty of nature to urban spaces. For his work in Unframed, Hylton worked closely with property owners Bucksford Law to create his distinctive artwork of a deer. The painting makes reference to the legacy of the name of the law firm and creates the illusion of a contemplative rural scene in the heart of the bustling town. This work by Hylton was awarded the title of “Best Mural of March 2023” by Street Art Cities.

Concrete cluster // Mr Doodle

Ashford local and internationally acclaimed artist Mr Doodle created his largest ever mural in the heart of Ashford’s town centre. Using his signature style of intricate doodles and mesmerising patterns, Mr Doodle painted an energetic artwork that featured many autobiographical references to his life in the neighbourhood.

Light Up Ashford // Ashford College / Accent London

Through a series of workshops we worked with Year 1 and 2 Creative Practice Art and Design students to create this striking mixed media piece. A combination of gestural, photographic light drawings, layered with light drawn lettering spelling the word ‘Ashford’. The intention of the work is to provide an exciting and stimulating piece that highlights the strength of the creative art department and the diverse work that the students create. An engaging and vibrant piece of public artwork the community and passing commuters can enjoy as they enter the town.

Loose Ends 206 // Andy Welland

Installed on the outside of a church building on one of Ashford’s most busy high streets, Andy Welland designed an artwork with a motivational message; that although we may sometimes feel insignificant, like a tiny dot in the vast expanse of the universe, it is crucial to remember that we are all interconnected and composed of stardust. His powerfully graphic painting communicates the power and energy that resides in all of us through his trademark use of uplifting colours, bold shapes and symbols.

Tales of the High Lock // Hatch

Hatch’s whimsical and vibrant drawings transformed The Taprooms, a local bar, into a captivating environment that stimulated conversation and created a unique atmosphere. Letting his imagination run wild across the walls and piano in the venue, Hatch created an immersive space of characters, creatures and anthropomorphic objects rendered in bold black and white. The Taprooms became more than just a place to enjoy a drink; it became a gallery where art and socialising seamlessly intertwined.

Love Film // Chris Page

Designer Chris Page creates captivating visuals that tell stories, establish unique brand identities, and elevate spatial experiences. In his commission for Unframed, Page designed a tribute to the mesmerising allure of the silver screen and paid homage to its relentless pursuit of unrivalled picture quality and definition throughout the ever-evolving realm of technology. Installed as a vinyl artwork in the reception area of the Ashford Picture House, Page’s work is the start of the journey into the cinema for all visitors and a reminder of the magic that film can create.

Lithest, Gaudiest Harlequin! // Will Redgrove

Muralist Will Redgrove worked with Ashford’s Pilgrims Hospice to create an artwork on the exterior wall of their building. Fascinated by symbols, the natural world, myths, and fairy tales, Redgrove designed an artwork that holds deep symbolic meaning. Evoking emotions of everlasting love, gratitude, respect, memory, and care, the mural expresses the vision and values of Pilgrims Hospices and the compassionate work that they do in the community of Ashford.

The One Round the Back of Coachworks // ODISY

Artist and tattooist ODISY makes work that is characterised by intricately interwoven characters and objects. His work for Unframed is located in the Coachworks courtyard, a space used by many small businesses and creatives to work from, and a local venue for events and socialising. In his artwork, ODISY portrays the harmonious blend of work and play that defines the collective spirit of the building, transforming it into an experience that both resonates with both locals and welcomes visitors.

Other Artists involved consisted of Aspire, Asher Maze, Ellie Fryer, Leah Bunting, Claudia Otto, Mellissa Hartley, Karc, KOMPLY, Voyder and Vibes.