Legion of Lions
by RAREBIT & BIMSSide wall of the British Legion, 19-25 Talbot Road, SA13 1HU.This piece by legendary local duo Rarebit and Bims is inspired by the Lion's crest on the front of the British Legion building and dedicated to the memory of those who sacrificed their lives for the sake of ours.We'll be seeing lots more of Rarebit and Bims on the tour, this first piece demonstrating how street art can celebrate and commemorate the people of Port Talbot.The local Historical Society are currently making a roll of honour, with the names of all the service personal and civilians from the borough who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars. Over 600 names have been included to date.We invite you to now follow the ARTwalk, weaving a trail to Taibach, before returning to the town centre. Tap 'Next' to see the next piece on the trail, or the map icon in the top right of your screen to navigate your way there ...Click here to find out more about the Port Talbot Roll of Honour
Birds of Beverley Street
by ACCENTThe Barber Shop, Beverley Road, SA13 1DY.These are the Birds of Beverley Street, by London-based creative consultancy Accent.Creative Director of Accent, Grant Radford, is a local boy who grew up in Baglan. Since leaving his hometown he studied in Nottingham and Queensland Universities, before setting up the mega successful 'Accent'. So when he approached us about doing a mural for ARTwalk we were over the moon!Grant has big plans for the future of street art in Port Talbot. He is keen to create an annual street art festival in the town, attracting top-class artists from around the World to come and build on what ARTwalk has started. We're defo on board with that Grant!Find out more about Grant and the amazing Accent hereOr you can Tweet them @Accent_Ldn_Ltd
Music On My Mind
by MIKE22INKSGroupeze Music, rear of 64 Talbot Road, SA13 1LA.Mike22inks was the first commissioned artist to come and drop some paint for ARTwalk Port Talbot.We adore the vivid colours and the clever construction of this piece, which combines two unique perspectives into one vibrant whole. Perhaps feeling inspired by his Bristol homey Banksy, Mike22 has painted the corner of this recording studio to stunning effect.Mike has painted around the world including Abu Dhabi, Brazil and Thailand. He is in the ASK crew alongside UK pioneers Inkie and Cheo. Mike has been included in numerous graffiti publications including 'graphotism' and the famous 'children of the can' 1 and 2 which documents the Bristol graffiti history.Find more about Mike and his lush artwork on his Instagram page hereIt's now been joined by a piece by JENKS dedicated to Rhys Murray.
Radio Môr-leidr (Pirate Radio)
by SON OF KEN (SoK)Talbot Road lane, find 'HotDogz', slip down the lane behind, SA13 1LB.Play the video to reveal the pirate DJ by local (well Swansea) graffiti and comic illustrator genius Sok.Also known as 'Son of Ken' or Mark Hughes. We love the fizzing colours and gleeful characterisation of this tune-dropping dude. Unsurprisingly something lurks behind this wall ... when asked what he would like painted on his wall the owner confessed "I have a pirate-themed bar in my garage".Find more about SoK and his colourful characters here
Peace Garden
by LLOYD THE GRAFFITIThe Welcome Garden, Commercial Road, SA13 1LG.The Peace Garden welcomes you to this part of town. Okay okay it's actually called the "Welcome Garden" and we can see why - it welcomes people to the boozy little hamlet of Taibach. But with that gorgeous floral peace sign by the brilliant Lloyd The Graffiti we couldn't help (temporarily) renaming it.The Welcome Garden is run by the Taibach community garden group and they regularly brighten the place up with planters and commemorate service personnel and recently the people of Ukraine. They wanted to lighten up this sometimes shady corner so they approached ARTwalk and commissioned this beauty from Lloyd.We caught Lloyd painting this - he had a handful of freshly picked flowers from the memorial gardens next door. He used these fresh blooms to paint his incredible peace bouquet ... no wonder they are bursting with colour and life!Diolch Lloyd ... lovely job.
I Wish My Wife Was This Dirty
Legomen by AME72ABC Tyres, Commercial Road lane, behind Taibach RFC, SA13 1LN.Soon after Banksy's "Season's Greetings" appeared in Taibach - it was joined by two Legomen from James Ame (Ame72).His two pieces engage with themes of pollution and the commodification of street art - this first on the steel doors of ABC tyres "I Wish My Wife Was This Dirty" a slogan often found on the dirt encrusted white vans of Wales, but here a reference to the red dust that sometimes covers windscreens and washing lines from the works.Click and swipe the photo to see the 2nd Legoman, which can be found on the double doors of the beer garden in Taibach Rugby Club. If you can't see this piece from the street, walk into the Rugby Club and ask if you can take a peek. They're a friendly bunch."Legoman With Disk-cutter" depicts an artwork being cut away and sold, wall and all.Ame72 has cleverly painted this piece across the metal doors and brick surround, making any such operation pretty much impossible.Find more joyful Legomen on Ame72’s website here
Young Burton
by HAZARD ONEBell Inn. Commercial Road, Taibach, SA13 1LG.Arguably the best loved son of Port Talbot, Richard Burton spent much of his youth knocking around the streets of Taibach. Raised by his sister on Caradog Street, Richard attended local schools then joined the RAF via a brief stint at Oxford University before finding fame at the Royal Shakespeare Company and in the lavish epics of Hollywood.His marriage to Elizabeth Taylor cemented their statuses as the A-list celebrities of their era. But Burton never lost his human touch or his passion for Wales and his old home town. This local legend has been brought back into the bosom of Port Talbot by the incredible talents of Bristol-based artist Hazard One.Welcome home Rich.This mural has been made possible thanks to support from Tata Steel.
Lunacy
by RAREBITSide of Lunacy, 43 Commercial Road, Taibach, SA13 1LN.This is the second mural on the ARTwalk by local wonder Rarebit.Featuring a psychedelic moonscape inhabited by space-flamingos this was commissioned by the shop-owner. Rarebit is a local legend having run Port Talbot Tattoo Studio for several years and painted walls since she was a nipper - bringing much-needed colour, life and vitality to the PT landscape.Click and swipe the photo to get a close-up of those fabulous space-flamingos.Commercial Road is the centre of the "village" of Taibach. This area is as famous for its local characters and rich history as it is for being the landing spot of Banksy's first ever piece of street art in Wales.Coming up next ...
Hannibal Lecter
by WALLS BY PAULOff Somerset Lane, Taibach, SA13 1UA.Dr Hannibal Lecter, as immortalised by local boy Sir Anthony Hopkins, as immortalised in spray paint by 'Walls By Paul'.Actor, director, artist and piano virtuoso, Anthony Hopkins was born in 1937, about half a mile away in Margam. Known for his intense and charismatic performances on stage and screen - Hopkins is a true living legend.ARTwalk Port Talbot didn't know anything about this mural till it appeared in May 2022, street artist 'Walls by Paul' says ..."I'm a Caerphilly based artist, I was approached by the wall owner to do the Hopkins mural, I didn't hesitate as I knew about all the amazing artwork happening in PT and it was a great chance to be involved. It's all spraypaint which is my main medium and its a hyper saturated version of the famous movie still image."Walking up the lane is a bit like approaching Hannibal Lecter's cell - just like Agent Starling in the stunning thriller 'Silence of The Lambs' ..."Closer please ... CLOSER"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZURNtDG4Mo
Speeding Greetings
by STEVE 'JENKS' JENKINSThe last garage at the very end of Richmond Place, SA13 1TR.Once the original home of Season's Greetings by Banksy, this ex-steelworkers garage now hosts Speeding Greetings by Llanelli street artist Steve 'Jenks' Jenkins. In this crafty homage to Banksy's original - Jenks uses the corner of the garage in much the same way as Season's Greetings - revealing the true meaning of the mural as you read it from right to left. Only this time poking fun at the speed limits (intended to reduce pollution) along this stretch of the M4 past Port Talbot's iconic industrial skyline.Jenks interest in street art was spawned back in the 80’s with a love of breakdancing movies and hip hop music. Throughout the years painting has always been a hobby with Electrical Engineering being his career. When lockdown started and being furloughed meant more time could be spend painting things took a turn for him. Now painting full time Steve has been involved in artwork projects at gym’s, restaurants, hospitals, schools, bars and private commissions. Each month looks to bring more challenging works.Steve says "I wanted to get involved with ARTwalk PT as soon as I was tagged in a Facebook post about it. Now having the chance to paint on one of the locations that started it all off has made me feel very proud. Thank you to everyone that has helped, I hope the street art/graff candle will continue to burn strong in PT for many years, brightening the town up and being a good influence on future generations of artists coming through"See more of Jenks' fab art here: https://www.facebook.com/jenksart1
Season's Greetings
ORIGINAL LOCATIONThe last garage at the very end of Richmond Place, SA13 1TR.On December 18th, 2018 steelworker Ian Lewis awoke to find a jaw-dropping piece of graffiti on the side of his garage. Press play on the audio file above to listen to Ian describing his first encounter with the Banksy.After thousands of people flocked to see the latest Banksy on his garage, it was felt in the best interests of the artwork to sell it to art dealer John Brandler for a "six figure sum" who agreed to set up a gallery featuring this and other Banksy's from his collection in the town.As you can see from the scars that still remain on the garage, the entire corner was cut out, lifted by a crane onto a lorry, and carried (with a police escort) into the town centre at 5mph.To find out more and watch a video of “Season’s Greetings” being moved click here
Bladerunner
by UNITYFollow the M4 to the corner of Conduit Street and North Street, SA13 1SU.Filmed in 1982 "Bladerunner" by Ridley Scott is a stunning vision of a cyborg infested techno-dystopia.The first 5 minutes of the film, all floodlights, smoke and jets of flame will be familiar to anyone from Port Talbot. We've heard that Ridley was driving along the M4 at night, when he saw the vision of his Bladerunner, as he passed the steelworks looming over Taibach. Urban myth? Fast forward to North Street 2021 - Amelia Unity paints her stunning homage to Bladerunner. Fact.Click and swipe the photo above to see the full scale of Amelia's cinematic masterpiece.Find out more about Unity's epic art on Twitter @AmeliaUnity.
Graffiti
by UNKNOWN ARTISTLocation: take the footbridge over the stream, turn right, M4 pillars at the end of Park Street.The first drawings on walls appeared in caves thousands of years ago. Ancient Romans and Greeks would write their names and protest poems on the side of buildings.Modern graffiti seems to have appeared in Philadelphia and New York in the 1960s. Writing your name (or nickname) on a wall or subway, often by marginalized young people, became a popular way of making your existence known in a society that didn’t seem to care.This series of "HOPE" lettering sprang up in and around Port Talbot during the depths of the pandemic and recurrent Lockdowns.Graffiti "tagging" is illegal in this and most other countries. Regardless of the hope that it might bring, to overlooked individuals and communities, it is often seen as a blight on modern society and its hopes of a cleaner, better, less messy way of life.ARTwalk only features legal street art, on private property, with the permission of its owners.We hope that any local graffiti writers will do the same, or send us a message and hopefully we'll be able to find you a wall.
Peg Entwistle
by HAZARD ONEDan-y-Bryn Road, near Aberavon RFC, SA13 1AB.Adding to the wonderful Burton on the side of the Bell Inn, Hazard One has outdone herself with her depiction of Peg Entwhistle.Affectionately known as 'Peg' she was the first Hollywood trailblazer from Port Talbot, forging a path to the movie sets of Los Angeles, that Burton, Hopkins and Sheen would later follow.She grew up just around the corner of this mural in Broad Street, before becoming heralded as the new young siren of the silver screen. Sadly for Peg, it appears that the pressures of the showbiz industry were too much ... her body eventually being discovered at the foot of the giant 'H' towering over the Hollywood studios.Her tragic legacy is the recent Netflix series 'Hollywood' and featuring in ghost tours around the foothills of L.A. But her creative courage and electric charisma live on in the streets of her home town.This mural has been made possible thanks to support from Tata Steel.
The Gammon Dragon
by TASSIA HAINES16 Crown St, Port Talbot SA13 1BG.This fluorescent pink monster is the brainchild of Tassia Haines - after being diagnosed with secondary breast cancer Tassia has gone on a mission to highlight the dangers of this. Tassia says:The Gammon Dragon is designed to jar people and interrupt their usual walk into town - in the same way an unexpected diagnosis would pull you out of your routine. The dragon is a glowing neon sign, intrusive and in your face, it is a sign to do something. Yet a dragon is not tangible in the real world but it can still be threatening and hoard precious materials. It glows pink as a mockery of breast cancer campaigns as it sits on piles of valuable resources , whilst 31 people die every day in the UK from MBC.The dragon was named after Carolyn Gammon - a mother, wife, teacher, sister, fierce campaigner and a friend. Carolyn died in September 2020 from MBC. For more information about this young artists incredible activism and the little known dangers of MBC please visit mbcwales.co.ukIt was announced in March 2024 that Tassia had passed away ... Breast cancer campaigner Tassia Haines dies - BBC News ... we pass on our condolences to her family and friends.
Michael Sheen
by HAZARD ONE27a Forge Road, Port Talbot, SA13 1US.The third in a trilogy by Bristol-based female artist HAZARD ONE this giant mural of one of Port Talbot's favourite sons was painted after a poll put Michael miles in front of who the people of the town wanted immortalised in spray paint.Known for his incredible acting talent and ability to transform into a myriad of unforgettable characters on stage and screen Michael has a very special place in the hearts of Port Talbot. He has always kept an ongoing interest and commitment to the well-being of the town - through supporting many different charities and causes. He cemented his status as a true artist of the people when he returned to his hometown to create the epic community staging of The Passion with National Theatre Wales in 2011.Michael recently turned his back on the glitz and glamour of LA to make Port Talbot his permanent home ... and who can blame him?! We share Michael's feeling that Port Talbot is a very special place.Also check out the 'In It Together' piece, to the side, by JENKS, for the annual festival held near Margam Park.
Butterflies
by RAREBITFamily Value, side of the shop in the lane, 25-27 Forge Road, SA13 1NU.We love this vibrant dragonfly that Rarebit dropped on the side of the Family Value hardware shop near the town centre.Vivid and heightened nature and landscapes are just a couple of Rarebit's signatures. The theme of transformation seems to be pulsating just beneath the surface of her artwork - it's little wonder to learn then that Charlotte Jenkins, Rarebit's name in real life, has only recently transitioned - making her the UK's first and foremost trailblazing trans street artist in the UK.Click/swipe the photo above to see her very own stunning transformation ...
Port Talbot Tattoo Studio
RAREBIT's HQWalk through St Mary's churchyard then through the concrete underpass to 2A Castle Street, Port Talbot, SA12 6DS.Almost every wall surrounding Port Talbot Tattoo Studio is covered with banging graffiti. A sign in the window offers street art by "Rarebit". Could the tattoo artist inking locals inside be the same graffiti writer flying the flag for Port Talbot?Charlotte Jenkins is famed for her stunning work in ink and paint on the people and walls of her home town. At her headquarters find fantastic collaborations with BIMS and also a homage to Port Talbot's very own Oscar-winning Anthony Hopkins.Live events and paint jams coming HERE soon!!!Do pop into the Tattoo Studio to find out more about Charlotte and her wizardry with ink and spray cans.Or make your way to the final stops on the ARTwalk tour ...
Twin Town, Likkle Piece of Jamaica & Ivor Emmanuel
by STEVE 'JENKS' JENKINS, UNITY & THEW COLLECTIVESubways under Afan Way roundabout at the top of Dalton Road, near the hospital, SA12 6QB.The Welshest of Welsh film masterpieces TWIN TOWN has been honoured by the prolific Steve 'Jenks' Jenkins.Shot across Swansea Bay and featuring the brothers Ifans as a pair of dope-addled delinquents who live with their mam (Di Botcher) in a caravan in the shadow of the steelworks is pure genius ... much like Jenks' mural.PLEASE SWIPE THE PHOTOS ABOVE TO SEE THE NEXT FAB SUBWAY ...The mural AH LIKKLE PIECE OF JAMAICA by Unity is based on a film by Faith Walker - that celebrates the Jamaican community that have been part of the Port Talbot community since in the 50s. It features Donna Campbell and her mum Lydia. Donna was a nurse who sadly passed away while tending to patients during the pandemic.SWIPE AGAIN FOR ...The Thew Collective's stunning IVOR EMMANUEL. Ivor was a musical theatre actor and singer probably best remembered for his appearance as Private Owen in the cult film ZULU. He was born in Margam, Port Talbot on 7th November 1927.
Terry Allen & other local wildlife (3 Subways)
by HASS, RYDER & SoKAfan Way roundabout near Lidl, SA12 7AQ.These beauties are part of the Subway Art project (phase 2) initiated by local mover & shaker Nigel Hunt and financed by NPT council.Terry Allen, local hobo-hero, has been immortalised by Bristol street artist HASS. Whilst SoK and RYDER bring to life a host of characters from the colourful community that makes up Port Talbot, Sandfields and Baglan Moors.Swipe the photos above to scan through the 3 subways here ...
Bridge St. - Welcome to ...
by VariousBridge St, Port Talbot SA13 1AF.Here you will find artwork by various artists: Jenks, Ryan, Mons, Jigs, THEW (Creative), Sok, Tee2Sugars, Ryder and many many more ...This area is constantly evolving with new/replacement pieces appearing from time to time.Who knows you may stumble across an artist in action when you visit!
Colourful Town
by AccentPort Talbot SA13 1SA.This is the stunning new 'Port Talbot is a colourful town' mural that's just been painted on a wall on Station Road in the town centre.It was created by London-based street art company Accent whose director, Grant Radford, hails from the Baglan area. Grant designed and worked on the mural, alongside Llanelli street artist Steve Jenkins and local artist and member of the ARTwalk Port Talbot community, Kirsty Harris.The mural was funded by Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru/Arts Council of Wales, Neath Port Talbot Council Members Fund and Tata Steel UK. The words written on the mural 'Port Talbot is a colourful town' are taken from the first line of a poem by local singer-songwriter and wordsmith, Derek Davies.We now invite you to follow the ARTwalk, initially head into the town centre before heading out to Taibach.Tap 'Next' to see the next piece on the trail, or the map icon at the bottom of your screen to navigate your way there.
Taibach Panto
by Steve Jenkins (JenksArt)Port Talbot SA13 1LN (Taibach RFC).To celebrate the annual Taibach RFC panto, Taibach RFC pantomime performersTaibach Rugby Club pantomime performers, Port Talbot. Since 1968, steelworkers and rugby players have been putting on their outrageous showsto delighted crowds.Peter Sexton, 74, says, “The motto in our Panto is there is no ‘I’ in team. There is a great friendship between the young and old including jokes which keep me on my toes and young at heart.”Whilst in the area check out a few other pieces, one by JENKS (Dexter), one by John Doe (man with umbrella) and Platinum security.
Town Centre - Subway Art
by Lloyd the GraffitiNPT Council Offices, SA13 1PJ.Leading off from the three subways near the NPT council offices you will find art works depicting, Dic Penderyn and nature.
Llewellyn St - Underpass
By ADAS/THEW, JENKS & Son of SOKLlewellyn Street SA12 8SF.Looking up towards the M4 you'll see a number of pieces by ADAS/THEW, JENKS & Son of SOK based on the theme of nature.Also look out for the Rolo and HOPE columns!?Work commissioned by NPT Council
Afan Ales
By various24 Station Rd, Port Talbot SA13 1JB.If the shutters are down you'll fine this vision of hope for the town's future.In the back yard there's a mix of murals from the 2024 'Shunk' festival
Afan Tyres
By ADASAberavon Gas Works Estate, Unit 2-3 Victoria Rd, Port Talbot SA12 6DB.A mix of pieces here.
Breed Specific Legislation
By JENKSParry Rd, Port Talbot SA12 7TT.Interesting pano piece about BSL, see link for more details.
Bus Station underpass
Green Park St, Port Talbot SA12 6NTIn the underpass you'll find images based on Terry Prachett's Good Omens, that stared Port Talbot's very own Micheal Sheen.
Beany & Jade
By JENKSOff Forge Road, SA13 1US.Two peices here, one of Captain Beany, well known local character who does alot for charities.The other is of Jade (Ellis) who tragically died in 2020.
Joshua Jones - Burgess Green
By JENKSYsguthan Rd, Port Talbot SA12 6NB.A super piece of local boxer Joshua John.
Aberavon RFC - Harlquins
By JENSKHarlequin Rd, Port Talbot SA12 6UP.A couple of pieces can be found here.On the outside is a great mural of Regan Grace, a local lad who's play in both rugby codes.Inside, by the club house, is a piece on the theme of nature.Also look out for the Harlqeuin mask,
The Red Lion
By JENKS1 Talbot Rd, Port Talbot SA13 1HN.On the side of the pub you'll find the scary piece.
The Railway club
By JENKSCramic Way, Port Talbot SA13 1RU.Pop over the railway line ,via the station bridge, to see this steaming piece.
Jimmy's bar
BY JENKS33 Station Rd, Port Talbot SA13 1NN, rear.This piece has been added to over the years. Initial just Jimmy, then joined by his daughter.
Water Street
By JENKS137 Water St, Port Talbot SA12 6LF.Another wall that has going through a number of transformations.Currently showing a mural dedicated to the fight to keep the steel works open, it's previously been celerbrating the Welsh football team and 'In It Together' festival.
Dragon
By ANONBailey St, Port Talbot SA12 6EL.A couple of pieces, one based on good old CV19 times, the other's a dragon.
