Art in Balby Bridge with Hixxy at the Deaf Community Centre
Right Up Our Street were thrilled to be awarded a second round of funding from the Space2Create Grant as part of their continued commitment to get to know the community on the Balby Bridge Estate better.
Right Up Our Street are approaching their first year of work on the estate with Artist in Residence Jamie Bubb and have since commissioned Rob Lee to paint a mural on the Central Family Hub building and have also recently celebrated a photography exhibition with Jamie Bubb - ‘Faces of Balby Bridge’.
Space2Create is a unique yet simple approach to delivering grants within Doncaster that encourages businesses and individuals within the creative industries, as well as property owners, to find alternative uses for town centre units and showcase novel uses of indoor and outdoor spaces - including events, co-working, and to trial innovations.
This round, Right Up Our Street have collaborated with Josephine Hicks (Hixxy) – a designer & painter known for her large scale ‘pop botanical’ murals - and the Doncaster Deaf Society to create a mural for the side of the Deaf Community Centre.
I drew inspiration initially from the deaf community who gave me suggestions that reflected the spirit in the centre: fun and laughter, smiling, lots of cups of tea and biscuits. I wanted to convey energy and joyful moments through colour that would be instantly celebratory and feel uplifting to all. knowing howimportant visuals are to the hearing impaired I made the design bright and full of symbols. The side the building spells out “B” “S” “L” (British Sign Language) along with the sign for ‘Fun and Laughter’ simple playful shapes create movement and interest with hidden eyes and smiles. The blocks and simple geometric design reflect the modernist architecture of the estate with a 21st century dash of fun. - Josephine Hicks
Throughout the install we received nothing but positive responses from thepublic. Lots of people commented how much they appreciated us bringing some colour and life to the estate ‘it’s like a breath of fresh air’ A few people where curious what the sign language visualised in the design meant (‘British sign Language and ‘fun and laughter’ ) another man asked us how he could get involved because he thought the project looked like a lot of fun, also was interesting to hear that many people didn’t realise the building was a centre for the deaf. - Josephine Hicks
It was fantastic to be able to collaborate with the Deaf Society on this project. The artwork contains elements of BSL, translating to ‘BSL’ and ‘Fun & Laughter’.
The Society were honoured to be approached by RUOS and thrilled to be recognised and socially included within Balby Bridge Estate communities giving us a sense of belonging – important. Thank you from the Doncaster & District Deaf Society and the BSL User Deaf Community to Hayley, Sally, Lizzy for making the wall art project possible and Jamie, for his time and patience taking the portrait photographs. You have all definitely helped in putting the Deaf Society and Deaf Community Centre on theCity of Doncaster map. Very much appreciated. - Pauline, The Deaf Society
Overall experience was absolutely great, it felt like such a positive project that really meant so much to the community and residents. I was thrilled to have been commissioned and really hope the mural is the beacon of more positive creative changes coming to the estate. - Josephine Hicks
You can see the journey of the mural on Right Up Our Street’s website here: https://www.rightupourstreet.org.uk/hixxy-space2create