phlegm
Artist Biography
Phlegm, a globally renowned street artist, has garnered widespread acclaim and stands as one of the most revered figures in the street art world. His work is not only visually captivating but also easily identifiable. He holds the belief that a painting on the street becomes an integral part of the city's architecture, influenced by its surroundings, rather than just an isolated piece within the confines of an art gallery. Born in North Wales, Phlegm has left his artistic mark across the globe, including a monumental achievement in August 2016, when he created what's billed as the world's tallest mural, standing at eight stories high, in Toronto.
Avroplane
During the consultation phase, residents provided feedback indicating a desire for more artwork in the St. James Street Area. In Summer 2016, we issued an artist brief for five walls. We received a substantial response from both local and international artists, culminating in an exhibition at the Mill in November 2016. A panel, consisting of the Council Leader, representatives from the Mill, local businesses, school children, a local historian, and St. James Big Local, carefully reviewed the feedback from the exhibition and made the final selections.
It was crucial for both Phlegm and ourselves that the artwork be closely tied to the local area. Serving as a gateway to the marshes, we sought a connection that harmonized with ATM's stunning bird mural located opposite. The often overlooked aviation history of Walthamstow Marshes, coupled with Phlegm's affinity for tri-planes, presented the perfect narrative thread. Between 1906 and 1909, Edwardian engineer Alliott Verdon Roe developed his Avro 1 triplane beneath the railway arches in Walthamstow Marshes. In 1909, he accomplished his inaugural all-British powered flight from this very location.
