Talented street artist is looking for 'big public walls' to decorate in Derby

A talented artist who specialises in creating stunning bespoke murals is on the hunt for a large wall in the city to decorate over the summer.

Leigh Irvine, 35, from Derby, is the creative force behind Raze Murals.

He is gearing up for an upcoming project that will see him transform a blank canvas wall into a more-catching design.

Creating street art since he was a teenager, Leigh has built up a portfolio that has seen him work with local businesses and international corporations up and down the country.

He created stunning artwork that paid homage to the city's history at the Thrive Mind Village Project on Iron Gate, Derby in 2023.

Leigh's recent projects includes a head-turning design at one of the city's newest tapas bars, Boa Derby.

Subsidised by government funding, the City Centre Vibrancy Fund, aims to ‘build pride in place and engagement in local culture and community.’

The fund will support creative and cultural projects that will ‘contribute to an overall increase and improvement in the vibrancy of Derby.’

Read more: Love Derby Leigh's call out for blank walls has ignited people's interest - his social media post has garnered 184 likes and myriad comments.

Leigh said the first step of the project is to find a ‘public, visible canvas.’

Council funding means a set of rules are in place.

The wall must be visible in a busy public area, it must be in good condition, and landlord’s permission must be granted to carry out the artwork.

The mural cannot depict anything particular to the business or building owner, as this could be deemed as advertising and not fit the criteria.

In addition, businesses who are interested in ‘donating a wall’ can’t pick what is painted, although they can decline proposed artwork.

Derby City Council will then vet some designs and choose one that is thought to reflect the area, culture and history of Derby.

The business whose wall is chosen will then get a mural installed at no cost. They could benefit from publicity the newly decorated wall brings. 

Leigh said: "I worked with the council on the same basis last year, so I've been instructed to gather potential canvases in preparation.”

Leigh is keen to add he is not involved in the decision-making process, and that his role is to ‘find potential canvases and then paint them if it comes to fruition.’

What to do if you’d like to donate a wall

Leigh is currently taking details from businesses who are interested in getting a wall decorated. 

Leigh will then collate all the information and put it forward to Derby City Council for their consideration.

For updates about Raze Murals visit his social media page by clicking here.