by Charles Williams
Charles Williams
About the Mural
This mural was created in collaboration with the Old Trafford Ageing in Place Pathfinder (now Live Well in Later Life). Inspiration has been taken from our diverse community, green spaces, the spring blossom, LS Lowry, Joy Division, Transport and more….
Working with Ageing In Place and young people at OTCS, we held workshops and listened to their memories of Old Trafford, in which they drew and wrote down the resonances Old Trafford brings to them. The most popular ideas that came from these workshops were unity, diversity, nature, and history. And possibly football.
Intergenerational community workshops were held at OT creative space and Lowry Lodge to gather ideas on what makes Old Trafford special.
It has been funded by Metrolink operator KeolisAmey and Transport for greater Manchester (TfGM)
“I looked into the history of Old Trafford and researched notable people who came from here or grew up in the area, including Ian Curtis (lead singer of Joy Division), L.S.Lowry, and Dodie Smith (author of 101 Dalmations).
The resultant design uses the word LOVE as its basis, with the word emerging from a graphic tapestry, with colours inspired by the cherry blossoms of Old Trafford. The stripes are a nod to the tramlines, and the undulation references the infamous Joy Division Unknown Pleasures album artwork. The style is also a nod to the work of Bridget Riley and Yayoi Kusama, two of my favourite artists (alas not from Old Trafford).
I sketched some basic ideas on paper, developed them in Cinema 4D, and explored a million different patterns and colours.
Next I projected the design onto the massive window boards, sketched them out in pencil, painted the sketch with masonry paint, cleaned up the pencil sketch, varnished the art and voila: done. Easy!” Charles Williams, Artist
“I absolutely love these murals. They make me happy every time I walk past them.”
Louise, Local resident
About the Artist
Charles Williams (Made up) is a graphic designer and artist based at OT creative space.
The Ageing In Place Pathfinder
Neville from the Ageing in place pathfinder group says “The drawings look simple, but there’s a lot going on with the meaning, they were meant to be there: they fit into the surroundings perfectly! If you’re having a difficult day, just looking at the murals can cheer you un!”
OT creative space 