Sheffield, a city known for its murals, paintings, and street art, has a new headline act.
Rivers and Hills, a mural celebrating the city’s geography, is a striking feature on the side of the NCP car park in Wellington Street in the Heart of the City development – Sheffield City Council’s premier investment in resurrecting a dilapidated city centre. The striking feature includes a mixture of hand-painted frames and digital animation by INSA and Rob Lee, respectively, with the pair pushing the boundaries of contemporary mural art.
The mural features an animation, which people can see by scanning a QR code on their phones, with the two sides of the mural celebrating Sheffield’s five rivers and seven hills. The landmark artwork was commissioned by Marketing Sheffield as part of Sheffield Inspires. It was made possible thanks to several local businesses and organisations that helped collaboratively fund the work.
The mural has been created over the last two years -Credit:Altitude PR
This included the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which brought together key partners to co-fund and support the mural. Alexis Krachai, president of SCCI, said: “Over the past two years, we have made culture a central pillar of our work at the Chamber – recognising its power to shape both our business landscape and the built environment. The Rivers and Hills mural stands as a vibrant symbol of this commitment, reflecting the Chamber’s dedication to celebrating Sheffield’s identity through creative collaboration.
“We’re proud of the work being done to bring some of Sheffield’s most influential businesses along on this journey, and my heartfelt thanks go out to those who supported this mural. The project exemplifies how SCCI drives economic good, not just through business growth, but by investing in the cultural and social fabric of Sheffield.”
Cllr Mohammed Mahroof, chair of the Economic Development, Skills and Culture Committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “The Rivers and Hills mural is a celebration of what makes our city truly special – its unique landscape, vibrant communities, and spirit of collaboration. This artwork is more than just a striking addition to our city centre, it’s a symbol of Sheffield’s ambition and creativity.
“By investing in projects like this, we’re not only enhancing our public spaces but also supporting our local economy – attracting visitors, inspiring civic pride, and showcasing Sheffield as a place where people and businesses can thrive. We’re proud to work with partners across the city to create opportunities that benefit everyone in Sheffield, now and for the future.”
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