While the sun’s shining on us, now is your chance to get outdoors and explore Hull while you can. There are some incredible pieces of outdoor art in Hull hiding right under your nose, that you may not even be aware of. So we’ve rounded up 10 of the very best outdoor art pieces you can see right now. It’ll change the way you see Hull forever.
Truelove
Hidden in plain sight near Hull’s tidal barrier is a statue of two heads. In 2002 Truelove Stefan Gec created a sculpture of an Eskimo couple, made up of Memiadluk and Uckaluk. The couple were taken to Hull on a whaling ship named Truelove. In 1849, they began their journey home only for Uckaluk to contract measles and die. The sculpture represents the connections between Hull and the rest of the world, the contribution of other cultures and the adverse effects of contact with Europeans on indigenous populations.
Banksy
Hull is home to one confirmed piece of Banksy art and several possible Banksy pieces. Perhaps the most famous, and the only one verified by Banksy, details a boy with a sword, shield and a colander on his head is accompanied by the text “draw the raised bridge”. For now, Hull city council has removed it its original location on Scott Street Bridge for safekeeping.
But you can still see the other possible Banksy pieces including a short written piece on Cooper Street, a cross-legged girl looking at a dead bird on Bromley Street and finally a picture of two children and their dog pointing at a Mary Poppins figure with a drone and Lidl bag on Humber Street.
Queen Of Colours
A stunning geisha in a neon setting adorns the side of the new Kings pub on Castle Street. The mural was created by renowned artist Dan Kitchener in July, who also goes by the name of DANK.
It is one of the newest additions to Hull Bankside Gallery where artists can add colour to the area using approved wall space. You can admire the piece as you drive by on the A63 Castle Street, and head into the old town where the King Billy statue is.
You can also buy limited edition prints online here.
Bankside Gallery
The Bankside Gallery is an open-air graffiti gallery created to celebrate Banksy’s work in Hull and create a showcase for local artists. It stretches throughout Hull’s industrial district, and business owners often volunteer for their walls. The gallery is expansive, continually growing and has become a tourist attraction in its own right. Beyond the Queen Of Colours by Dan Kitchener, there are some gorgeous pieces of street art just waiting for you to discover.
Gipsy Moth
You can find a full-scale replica of the plane Amy Johnson used to fly to Australia in Paragon Station. Amy Johnson was born in 1903 in Hull and was the first woman to fly from London to Australia in addition to setting several long-distance flight records in the 1930s.
Inmates built the model in Hull prison for the 2017 City of Culture. It has a humorous touch, with”G-AAAH” written on the side which is sure to make you smile.
Athena
A statue of the Greek goddess Athena quietly stands watch of the museum quarter. Flowers, a pond and a small hedge maze, accompany the figure and add to its subdued and often overlooked beauty. The statue is close to a sculpture of Gandhi which also looks over the garden.
Mahatma Gandhi statue
In India Gandhi is known as the ‘Father of the Nation’ and he is renowned across the world, including Hull.
Sculpted by Jayprakash Shirgaonkar; a bust of Mahatma Gandhi overlooks the Museum Quarter near the Streetlife Museum. The inscription underneath the statue reads “May noble thoughts come to us from all directions”.
Pinky Mural
The colourful mural was created by artist Pinky, and funded by the Arts Council for Humber Street Sesh in 2013. You can find the eye-catching piece in Martin’s Alley off Humber Street.
Queen Victoria Monument
Constructed in 1903 in the eponymous square the elaborate grade II listed statue sits on top of beautiful victorian-style toilets. The monarch is complete with imperial robes, a crown and a mace, and accompanied by two female figures shrouded in mystery.
Voyage
A stunning turquoise brass statue that looks out over the estuary from Victoria Pier. The sculpture faces Iceland where thousands of Hull trawlermen travelled to fish the waters. It has a sister statue called ‘For’ in a tiny village named Vik in Iceland, which looks towards Hull.
The figures were created by Icelandic artist Steinunn Thorarinsdottir and celebrate the unique link between Hull and Iceland forged by years of seafaring and trade.
See Something New Today
It’s time to uncover Hull’s hidden beauty and see something new. From glorious murals to exquisite statues, there’s something for everyone.
