Leicester: Dozens of murals are on display across the city

More than 60 murals have been created around Leicester as part of a street art festival.

Bring the Paint hit the town for the fourth time in 2017 on Monday.

It runs until Sunday and features artwork created by local names as well as artists from around the world.

Festival artistic director Izzy Peacock said there was enough art to fill all Premier League football grounds.

Mrs Peacock said: “We have invited lots of artists from around the world and Leicester to create large-scale murals in the city.

“There is some really cool artwork.

“We have a combination of letter play, characters, cartoons. Just really fun artwork all over town.”

She added that even after the event, the artwork encourages people to visit downtown.

“Local businesses are benefiting from increased traffic in the area,” Ms Peacock said. “And it just changes the face of the city.”

Kid Acne, an artist based in Sheffield, painted a mural with the words ‘If it doesn’t (sic) fit, don’t force it. Relax and let it flow.”

Originally from Leicester, the artist first contributed to Bring the Paint this year, having started painting graffiti back in 1991 when he was 12, before gravitating towards street art.

He said: “This is one of the biggest and best festivals of its kind that I know of.

“It’s a huge deal to be here and I think the organizers have got that balance between traditional graffiti, street art and murals.”

Verna Poppy created a piece on the High Street depicting a girl cradling a pig.

She said the meaning of the art was about “spreading love and kindness to animals”.