Leeds to host the UK's tallest mural

Work began this morning (6 Jun) on a piece of street art in Leeds that will dominate the city’s skyline.

Standing 137ft (41.9m) tall, the artwork will be UK’s tallest piece of street art when complete and acts as the ‘finishing touch’ to a major refurbishment of the landmark building which is to be its canvas.

Titled Athena Rising, the mural, which features an owl in flight as its centrepiece, is from street artists Nomad Clan, a duo comprising of Cbloxx and AYLO (aka Joy Gilleard and Hayley Garner). The mural will take up the full east elevation of the Platform building, formerly known as City House, and we're told it'll be visible from station platforms and beyond. It should be completed in around four weeks.

The huge statement piece is part of the citywide street art project A City Less Grey, initiated by East Street Arts to animate the city and incorporate works of art on to the buildings and streets of Leeds.

Cbloxx of Nomad Clan, said: “It's a great privilege to paint something of this scale in Leeds. It's a place that one half of Nomad Clan still thinks of as home, after living and working there for over eight years. As a West Yorkshire lass born and bred, it really means the world to me! It is our biggest challenge yet, but we feel ready to give it our all and create something stunning for the community.”