#100Embankment Behind the mural scenes with artist Barney Ibbotson
Inspired by the building's Salford surroundings, there's a hundred stories woven into the fantastic mural design in the reception of 100 Embankment as members enter. We spoke with Barney, the man behind the mural, to find out more about his process and findings:
Barney, tell us about your practice and process for creating the mural at 100 Embankment.
"Firstly I conducted some thorough research on the history of the site and of wider Salford. My original concept was to create a kind of timeline so as I researched I categorised my findings into distinct eras, such as Medieval and the Industrial Revolution era. I selected key buildings, moments and characters that would be visually interesting, and created a rough sketch of how they might connect. I then took this rough into Adobe Illustrator and started to piece together the elements as vector artwork. When the composition had been approved, I moved onto colouring the design, using a colour scheme that worked with the existing scheme created by the architects."
How did you approach portraying the many aspects of the local area?
"I focused on historically significant structures, vehicles or scenes that would also look striking within the design. Bridges, architecturally interesting buildings, scenes of industry, the steam train, and Suffragettes all make for compelling viewing, in my opinion."
Was there any discoveries that surprised you in creating the artwork?
"I learned a lot, especially about the site in Greengate. What surprised me was how pivotal the site was in Salford's early days. It was the centre of the borough in terms of trading and industry. I discovered an article created by the archaeologists that worked on the site at the beginning of the Embankment construction which detailed how the site developed from an agricultural settlement into a bustling town fuelled by the linen and wool trade, and then eventually into the site of Exchange Station, which connected Salford and Manchester to the wider world."
Tell us your favourite place local to 100 Embankment?
"I love The Eagle Inn on Collier Street, which is about a 5 minute walk from 100 Embankment. It's friendly, cosy and always buzzing."
Where can people discover more of your work?
"They can see my work in pubs, windows and on walls around Greater Manchester. They can go to www.barneyibbotson.com to find out exactly where those are!"
Tell us something you find helpful in your working day
Selecting just the right piece of music or playlist to work to. One that helps me concentrate and get in the zone.
Shoutout time. Name a company you think are doing great things
Studio DBD are a design and branding agency in Manchester who always produce creative and interesting work.
Something you are proud of from the last year and looking forward to in the next?
I'm hugely proud of the mural I recently completed for x+why! Next year will hopefully see the manufacture of a cast iron drain cover that I designed for the new improved Albert Square in Manchester.
Reading recommendation
"The Prodigal Tongue: The Love–Hate Relationship Between British and American English" by Lynne Murphy.
If you're in #Manchester or #Salford, pop in to see the beautiful details of Barney's mural and history of the local area. Can you recognise some of the features?
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