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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Steve Robson

The story behind the Northern Quarter's stunning new mural

It might be an advert, but the latest mural to appear in the Northern Quarter is stunning.

Earlier this week, artists were spotted handpainting the huge fresco onto the side of buildings at 31 Thomas Street.

It features beautiful images of a fox, bird and stag in the foreground with an apocalyptic landscape behind.

Although there are plenty of murals commissioned simply as pieces of art in the Northern Quarter, this one promotes the new Netflix show 'Our Planet'.

Narrated by Sir David Attenborough, the eight-part nature series premieres today on the streaming service.

Previous 'corporate' murals in the Northern Quarter have attracted criticism from some who feel they are not in keeping with the area's independent spirit.

Artist Jim Vision says the mural is inspired by wildlife thriving in the nuclear wastelands of Chernobyl (Manchester Evening News)

Last year, residents called a TGI Fridays mural in the same spot as 'gross' and 'out of place'.

Netflix's David Attenborough narrated documentary series 'Our Planet' is available to watch now

Watch: Huge football mural appears on side of Northern Quarter pub

It depicted a man apparently high-fiving his 'wingman', promoting one of the American chain's restaurant offers.

And in November 2016, a giant piece of red and white artwork promoting Starbucks painted onto the side of the Hare and Hounds pub near Shudehill bus station went down like a lead balloon.

But so far, the Netflix mural has attracted only a few grumblings and has generally been given a warm reception.

Commenting on Twitter, one critic said: "Looks nice but would much rather non-commercial street art, why's this space not being used for genuine art instead?"

Read more of today's top stories

But popular Manchester photographer Maria Page shared an image of the mural on her Instagram page with the caption: "Ads can be beautiful."

Many agreed, with one follower replying: "This wall mural is stunning. How uplifting to see this every day - something for everyone."

The artist behind the mural is 'Jim Vision' who runs a street art company called EndoftheLine based in Shoreditch, London.

He was commissioned by Netflix to bring seven murals to cities around the country.

Jim told the Manchester Evening News it took him two days to complete and is entirely handpainted.

"Each one focuses on different environments," he said.

"That one is a scene from Chernobyl - it remains a radioactive wasteland that humans can't inhabit but the wildlife has taken over.

"Trees have grown, the  foxes, moose, deer and rabbits have come back, it's a thriving wildlife area."

"The scene fitted beautifully with the wall and the car park.

"All the projects are about bringing nature to an urban environment.

"The Netflix series is quite hard-hitting, looking at how natural habitats are being affected by humans.

"It needs to be seen by everybody, we hope these murals will be a legacy."

Netflix says 'Our Planet' was a four-year project from the same team behind the award-winning series 'Planet Earth' and is an 'unprecedented, never-before-filmed look at the planet's remaining wilderness areas and their animal inhabitants'.

Shamed ex-soldier kicked out of wine bar after 'inexplicably' deciding to pleasure himself 

Northern Quarter firm teams up with Network Rail for social impact project 

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