The artworks, part of the WE SHALL BE programme led by Navigator North, are designed to transform the area around the railway station and reflect Middlesbrough’s ‘spirit, pride, and resilience’.
Located near STACK and Bloom, the A66 flyover now displays the town’s original Latin motto ‘Erimus’ on one side and its English translation, ‘We Shall Be,’ on the other.
Vicky Holbrough, director of Navigator North, said: “We are thrilled to see the impact of these artworks and what they represent, going into the Historic Quarter and hope that they serve as a cultural beacon for the town and its visitors.
“Without our amazing partners, artists, communities, and funders none of this would have been possible.”
The murals were developed through community engagement sessions led by artists Nic Golightly and Sarah Falconer, who gathered creative input from residents.
Artist Nick Blaney, known as Goodnight Vienna, was commissioned to produce the large-scale murals themed around the town’s motto.
A new public sculpture by Teesside artist Stuart Langley was commissioned to create a striking public sculpture for outside the new entrance to the railway station.
Titled hold me and show me you love me, it features a heart made up of publicly donated old mobile phones, held in a huge steel hand.
Mr Langley said: “It’s an honour to be able to present such a meaningful and ambitious work in the heart of Middlesbrough.
“Thanks to the ongoing efforts of Navigator North, this collaborative work will further cement the town’s cutting-edge creative reputation and ignite much-needed conversations about lives beyond the screen.”
Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke said: “It’s brilliant that the murals have taken inspiration from the town’s motto.
“They’re really striking and add character to an area of our town that is on the up.”
The WE SHALL BE programme builds on Navigator North’s work from 2020, including the Historic England-funded High Street Heritage Action Zone and Most Creative Station programme, funding by Arts Council England.
The programme is delivered in collaboration with Middlesbrough Council, TransPennine Express, Commerce Chambers, and FORGED, with funding from Arts Council England.
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