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Nov 2024
Harrogate artist creates Christmas mural on Jespers window
A renowned local artist has begun a three-day quest to create a festive window design at Jespers of Harrogate.
Harrogate artist Christian Alexander Bailey began painting the Christmas display on the stationery shop window today (November 1). Shoppers will be able to see it take shape over the weekend.
Jespers, which was established in 1901, is one of Harrogate's longest running independent department stores.
The display is being completed as a collaboration between Mr Bailey, Jespers and Posca pens.
The window, which will feature two dinosaurs wearing Santa hats, is an original design by Mr Bailey based on a previous work of his.
He said:
Lots of my work portrays something and has deeper meaning behind it. There is usually some message as well as it being aesthetic, but this is just something fun and joyous for Christmas.
I wanted it to be something different from a winter wonderland or Santa but still just as fun.
It is based off work I have previously done. ‘The greatest battle of all time’ is the dinosaurs facing each other and is based on animations I was exposed to as a child.
'The greatest battle of all time' by Christian Alexander Bailey
Mr Bailey primarily works in ink and charcoal, so this display has posed a new challenge. He has never used Posca pens before and rarely works with white ink.
He said:
I have never done anything this size and working in white is weird. I had to do lots of planning to make sure I was doing it right.
The display will be completed through a crosshatching technique and then visitors will be able to have a clear view of the dinosaurs on the window.
The artwork, which will be completed on Sunday, was organised by Mr Bailey and Lynn Cummings, manager of Jespers.
Ms Cummings told the Stray Ferret the design will remain in place “for as long as possible".
She said:
The opportunity arose and Christian is amazing, his art is wonderful. We wanted to create a talking point and do something completely different for Jespers.
We wanted to draw people in to enjoy the art and the store.
Mr Bailey is also featuring in the New Light exhibition at the Mercer Galley, Harrogate, until the new year.
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