Street artist restores his defaced unity mural in Peterborough

A street artist has repainted his unity mural of two hands making a fist pump after it was defaced by graffiti.

Nathan Murdoch, 39, from the organisation Street Arts Hire, said he first painted the artwork in 2020 on the wall of an underpass in near Bourges Boulevard, Peterborough, to convey the message of “mutual respect”.

The mural, which was commissioned by Diaspora Arts and Education Charity, was defaced earlier this year, which left Mr Murdoch feeling “upset”.

He said it was “a strange time in the world right where misinformation is fuelling division” and therefore he felt it was important to restore the mural and promote the message of hope to change people’s perspectives.

“I was upset with the defacing… It is more upsetting because I knew some of them who did it and it might be something against me that they have got and not the actual message,” Mr Murdoch said.

“I have got friends from such diverse backgrounds. So this fist pump artwork fits perfectly as a mutual sign of respect, a form of communication.

“I had reached a point in life where I thought racism could end at some point… but sadly I don’t think that now.

“It is a very strange time in the world with racial turmoil and politics in our everyday life.

“For me everything is a conversation.. If someone feels a certain way I am willing to listen even if I think it’s wrong, but then I expect them to listen to me at the same time,” he added.

Recently, two anti-immigration protests and counter-protests took place outside the Dragonfly Hotel in Thorpe Meadows, Peterborough, which currently houses asylum seekers.

Mr Murdoch said he has painted several pieces of public art around the city to symbolise “unity”, including the love heart art work on Taverners Road which received global recognition following the death of George Floyd in 2020.

Mr Murdoch, who grew up on a council estate in Peterborough, previously said he had grown up around “racists opinions”, but said he changed his views through life experiences and by meeting different people.

He hoped to inspire more people with his artwork and help change their negative perspectives too.

“My life is based on experiences I have lived with people and not what I have heard or read about in the media or on the internet.

“I have seen people sharing information that fuels division and I think miseducation and lack of life experiences is the problem.

“As I grew older I believe if you make a difference to one person’s life – if it has changed the perspective of one person, it’s worth a go.

“I feel like this is what I was meant to do… the skill I have I should use it to bring people together and help break down barriers.

“It gives me a more enjoyable experience compared to any financial reward I have had,” Mr Murdoch said.