Canary Mural, Wheatley Hill

If you are in the area, it is worth seeking out Canary by Durham Spray Paints.

This wonderful arty creation was a collaboration of local artist Lewis Hobson AKA Durham Spray Paints, and the creative charity No More Nowt. I am grateful to both for giving insights.

No More Nowt (NMN) explains on completion in June 2023 that:

"We have been working with our long-time Cultural Hub Greenhills Centre in Wheatley Hill and County Durham street art powerhouse Durham Spray Paints over the last few months to develop some brand new street art. Those who know Greenhills know that if you haven't been there finding it can be a real challenge as it sits behind the high street. Greenhills Centre and Lewis AKA Durham Spray Paints worked closely with local business Fast Fry to develop this new hopeful future focussed artwork that not only brings a pop of colour but also flags up where to turn! Lewis also worked with young people from Wheatley Hill to develop a legal spray wall and learn some fab skills as part of Greenhills development of their new youth programme. We love working with communities to bring a bit of colour to County Durham."

Lewis Hobson AKA Durham Spray Paints is known for the murals at Hartlepool Headland, Hetton Lyons Country Park and many others. He explains that:

"The idea was to put the local Community Centre on the map as it is around the corner and out of sight, so this wall art would act as a way finder."

Workshops and young peoples groups were set up, and the design is based on the coal mining community that was very much part of the history and culture of this area.

Lewis describes the motif:

"The canary symbolises how dangerous the conditions were in the mines and how this affected the area. It shows the transition to the new way of doing things, where we don't have jobs that are dangerous and workers are exploited. So in a way, the canaries have been set free."

Notice the spread of wings and tail feathers that adds delicacy to this wall art.

Lewis revealed that:

"The hands are the hands of the children of the guy who owns the takeaway (that's the wall that the mural is painted on). Children's hands represent the next generation and they will decide what the future is about regarding industry and what they want Wheatley Hill to be about."

Canary in a coalmine expression has become a synonym for impending danger. The saying was used in a song by the supergroup Police and they mention it 18 times.

Canaries are named after the Spanish island where they originated from. Spanish sailors brought Canaries to Europe in the 17th century where they were then bred in captivity. It is the male canary that sings and is the brighter colour. They can live 10 to 15 years.

Sentinel species like canaries are living things most often animals that are used to alert humans of dangers such as toxic substances either in food or in the air.

There is information on the use of canaries down mines on the Durham Mining Museum post. Here is a synopsis.

Canaries were used down the pits to detect noxious gases like Carbon Monoxide (CO). Miners noticed how mice would scamper off at a mere whiff. Mice lived on the pony dung and straw as the pit ponies were kept in the mine. Of course, some mice didn't survive, and seeing dead ones around was another warning.

To humans CO is undetectable, so mice were used as well as canaries for detecting gases. However canaries had better PR due to the male's bright yellow colour and chirpy nature, and their reaction to CO was the best, or to them, the worst. They were generally used by rescue workers who would use a device like the one in the photo. The birds were phased out in 1986 as more advanced carbon monoxide detectors were introduced.

There is a lovely touch of a Kingfisher flying towards the entrance. Lewis gave this explanation:

"The person that owns the business is from India and though not their official national bird, it is associated with the country."

Of the experience Lewis said: "Wheatley Hill was a nice place to paint and everyone enjoyed seeing it go up." Here is the artist with an appropriate sunbeam. Photo taken by an observant No More Nowt soul.

Whilst in the area and if you have time check out the Wheatley Hill Heritage Centre.