The BIG Art Festival will return Summer 2025!
Mural Artists
Megan Fearnley
Awarded the 'Developing Artist' commission
Megan is a British artist from the North East of England, known for her passionate connection to animals and nature. Her work spans a range of media, embracing creativity without boundaries and often experimenting with spontaneous ideas. Megan's art reflects a vibrant and dynamic connection to the natural world. Her work can also be infused with the empowering spirit of women and positive mental well-being. She skillfully uses puns and wordplay in her work and titles to add an element of humour and to provoke emotion, transporting viewers straight into nature or femininity.
"Give nature a place in our modern world."
@meganfearnley.art @meganfearnley.creative
Nocciola the Drawer - Hazel Oakes
Awarded the 'Community Artist' commission
Nocciola The Drawer (Hazel Oakes) is an illustrator, mural artist and creative explorer from the North East of UK. She specialises in bright, bold, colourful artwork that combines the human figure and lively patterns. All with the aim to uplift, inspire, empower and celebrate.
Travelling and living in different countries has shaped her drawing style. Inspired by people and places that create community, her love of travel, people and finding connections is a driving force in her work. She is a nomadic optimist, looking for positive stories in this beautiful world, capturing visually the community spirit, joy and passion that unites people.
She creates an impact with artwork to transform community spaces into a colourful and joyful place to be, she is trying to spread her joy for life one splash of colours at a time!
@nocciolathedrawer
Charly Mupenga
Awarded the 'Independent Artist' commission
Charly Mupenga is a contemporary impressionist and muralist painter born in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Kinshasa and holds a master's degree from the Northern School of Arts in Hartlepool, England. His work is inspired by the personal experiences he has had in Africa, which have greatly influenced his artistic direction. Political issues have deeply affected his work, encompassing social, political, and economic fields in Africa and around the world. However, he does not limit himself to this concept, as his inspiration can change depending on the surrounding reality.
In his work, he often thinks about children, recognizing them as the most vulnerable individuals during conflicts such as wars and during natural disasters such as floods and fires. His observation is that many children are suffering in various parts of the world. Therefore, his work aims to highlight the importance of bringing a smile to those in difficulty. His art does not represent a particular group of people but crosses cultures and generations.
He uses children's emotions to convey his message, as they are sincere and truthful. His work aims to give hope to all individuals who feel hopeless in difficult situations, acknowledging that problems exist everywhere and no one is spared.
@mupenga_arts12