Exmouth artist Gareth Cook, (known as Garf) has unveiled a new climate-inspired mural in Exeter this week.

This new piece of street art, created by Garf is inspired by positive climate change action. The mural, located at New Buildings, close to the city library, was commissioned by Art Work Exeter and the University of Exeter which they say 'creates a visual representation of a positive and sustainable future for the city.'

Chosen by a public vote, and aligned with the city’s new Public Art Strategy, the mural depicts a young girl holding a butterfly and looking towards a sunlit horizon filled with images of clean, green technologies.

The mural will be launched at 2pm at Exeter Library, as part of the FUTURES Festival of Discovery, with discussions about the mural and a creative exercise led by the University team.

On completing the street art, Garf said: “In the last two years I have painted many murals on the streets of Exmouth and enjoy being in the public domain.

"Exeter is obviously a busier location and some days it felt like I did more talking than painting. All kinds of people stopped. Some just looked and took pictures. Some asked questions and some actually thanked me, but a real treat was when people walked around the corner and uttered a genuine exclamation of joy.

“Good street art should lift the soul, better still if it promotes discussion, debate and even a change in beliefs and behaviours.” 

Funded by the Knowledge E Foundation, the commission was launched in July 2023 to create a lasting legacy for the University Green Futures’ We Still Have a Chance project. 

28 entries were submitted by artists and reviewed by a panel. A shortlist of five was then put forward to a public vote as part of the British Science Festival, before GARf was declared the winner.

Work to prepare the site – which was previously home to a mural by Andrew Alleway – took place in spring, with GARf completing his 7m-by-2.5m mural in the summer. 

Stuart Crewes, Creative Director of Art Work Exeter said: “We are delighted to be able to deliver the first public artwork in association with the city’s new Public Art Strategy. The development of the new mural over recent weeks has been great to witness, and has attracted plenty of positive conversations with local businesses and members of the public. The response has been positive, with people saying that it brightens up an overlooked corner in the heart of the city. The representation of city landmarks of the present shows a place that is future-facing, positive and dare I say, hopeful.”