Net Zero Visions ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ“ ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ Methodist Central Hall Mural
A positive vision for ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ, in collaboration with Devon Climate Emergency
is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council and led by
Professor David Sergeant (principle investigator) and
Dr Emma Whittaker (co-investigator) at ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ, in collaboration with Devon Climate Emergency. Its mission to create a resilient, net-zero Devon where people and nature thrive. It is rooted in the idea that we cannot achieve change unless we also try to imagine it; and that imagining it can raise a wider awareness of what is at stake and encourage action. Acclaimed professionals in animation, illustration, interactive games, and public murals are currently working with communities to produce positive ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ˜VisionsÂÌñ»»ÆÞ™ of locations across Devon as carbon net-zero in 2050. However, this imaginative effort is also open to everyone.
The Net Zero Visions mural for ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ Methodist Central Hall sits in a prominent position by DrakeÂÌñ»»ÆÞ™s Circus, and was painted over the late summer of 2022. It was designed by Jessica Mallory ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ
BA (Hons) Illustration graduate, lead artist Dr Kate Crawfurd, and painted by Jessica Mallory and Eleanor Croker
BA (Hons) Illustration graduates. Kate and Jessica worked closely with ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ Methodist Central Hall in developing the mural design.
The muralÂÌñ»»ÆÞ™s augmented reality experience was created by ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ, MA 3D Design graduate Ian Kok Saw and is available by scanning the QR code at the mural.
Hear from the lead artist
Kate, the lead artist, had this to say about the PMCH mural:
This mural was designed through discussions with the Methodist church members and ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ community. The church sits next to DrakeÂÌñ»»ÆÞ™s Circus, opposite the ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ and it was important to its members that the mural reflected their position in the heart of the city, surrounded by youthful energy, and as a community that embrace changes and has strong environmental values.
In the mural the church is seen with greened walls and roofs, solar panels, and geo domes for growing plants and heat control; the university beyond also has green walls and a geo dome. An electric bus and safe cycle path reduce traffic on the streets ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ“ such a network would massively reduce carbon emissions and benefit mental and physical health. The community group was keen to see streets where children could play safely.
The tree of life is a key symbol within the church and we took this further with the planting of a small sapling by the larger tree. The spade shows that this is a conscious human action, that we can restore nature and that we need to act. The longevity of trees was an important idea: some of todayÂÌñ»»ÆÞ™s trees sprouted before the industrial revolution and will live on through our changing world to 2100 and beyond. They are obviously also vital for carbon capture.
A beehive nestles behind the tree, reflecting how we can improve the environment for pollinators and protect biodiversity. We have an excellent climate for agriculture here in the South West, and eating local produce ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ“ of the kind seen at the base of the mural ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ“ as much as possible would reduce transport emissions and waste.
The ocean and Tamar estuary are strong and beautiful influences in ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ, and could be used for leisure, transport and energy. We initially included wind and wave but felt at that point the design was becoming too cluttered!
There is a calmness to the people depicted in the mural, they are enjoying getting around using their own power. This contrasts with the usual rush of people shopping, the din and fume of petrol engines. Is it possible for us to slow down? It would certainly benefit the environment.
Finally, the dove and lighthouse are symbols of hope, both natural and manmade. The muralÂÌñ»»ÆÞ™s cheery brightness hopefully communicates a taste of the ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ we could live in if we embrace positive change.
Other murals
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