Local artist Sulliven Alenzi brings insects and fauna to High Street West

Local artist Sulliven Alenzi was one of two Sunderland creatives selected to create a digital design for a vinyl mural project. After circulating a creative brief to interested Sunderland-based artists, Sullivan was selected and commissioned by Future Walls and Sunderland Council.

Speaking about his Urban Ecology mural, Sullivan said “When brainstorming and researching the topic of urban ecology, and finding a way to place that in juxtaposition to a dilapidated high street, the concept of “imaginary taxidermy” came to mind. This concept is essentially a group of illustrations inspired by the traditional taxidermy of insects and their designs and ecosystems.

What sparked this idea is that the prints are mostly on glass like a display in a museum, where people can appreciate and observe but never fear what is artificially captured. It’s how we see ourselves in them and their community structure which as humans, we can relate to. Through an almost hierarchal perspective, my design featured creatures both big and small - from insects like ants, bees, butterflies and moths to animals like foxes. rabbits and deer. My work was inspired by the Northumberland Wildlife Trust and the diverse wildlife we have in the northeast.