Ipswich unveils East Anglia's largest mural, complete with poetic tribute

The big picture: A massive new mural adorning the James Hehir building along the waterfront has transformed Ipswich's skyline. Created by acclaimed international street artist ATMA, it's the largest mural in East Anglia and one of the biggest in the country.

The mural, designed in workshops with people in Ipswich who contributed to the mural design and content, is one of several pieces commissioned by Wild Walls, a street art festival produced by Art Eat Events and The Subversiv Collective with funding from Arts Council of England.

The artist: ATMA, known for his philosophy of "upliftism", has brought his signature style of bold colours, sharp lines, and natural patterns to Ipswich. His work, found across 10 countries, aims to engage, impact, and transform spaces through large-scale storytelling.

Why it matters: The massive artwork has done more than beautify a previously unremarkable building. It's boosting local pride, sparking creativity, and creating a talking point for residents and visitors alike.

The mural has already sparked creativity: Molly Gowen, a poet and folklorist who lived in Ipswich during the 1990s, was commissioned by ATMA after a chance meeting to pen a tribute to the enigmatic figure depicted in the mural, now called "Lady Marina."

Her poem personifies the mural as a protective spirit watching over Ipswich. It weaves together themes of peace, nature, and local pride, reflecting the transformative power of public art.

You can read the full poem below.

Lady Marina

This lady has always been here
Now she appears
On the waterfront

A vision

Let us welcome the lady of peace,
Lady Marina
Daughter of the morning star
And the moving moon

She lifts her head from her book 
As pure love rises from it
She looks up at the fading stars,
to the birds
as in formation they fly
to far away places 
Crying "Farewell"
in their myriad of voices

Hail Lady Marina
Goddess of the Harbour
Spirit of the town
Protector of citizens
of ships
Guardian of the tides
as they ebb and flow

The four winds play at her sides
gathered, intermingling
in beautiful colours and shapes. 

It is early morning
the sun is a disk of fire
rising
A new dawn
dazzling in the early sunlight
A vision
a dream come true
lady of Peace 
we welcome you.

M.Gowen
15th September 2024

What's next: Producer Iona Hodgson plans to have the poem painted on the blue wall facing the waterfront, adding an extra layer of meaning to the mural and turning it into a true community focal point.

The bottom line: As Gowen's poem concludes: "A vision, a dream come true, lady of Peace, we welcome you."