New Gandy Street mural revealed

Passersby and shoppers on Gandy Street are now welcomed by a warm and radiant mural on the wall of IT Champion. This piece is part of a new project to deliver ten street art installations between 2025 and 2030, InExeter have unveiled the first mural in this five-year journey – “Dreamer of Dreams”.

This project builds on InExeter’s street art programme, which saw ten murals brighten up different parts of the city. Each artwork delivered by InExeter over the next five years will be designed to meet one of three key objectives: to celebrate Exeter’s unique identity and cityscape, to brighten underutilised areas, and/or to elevate gateways to the city. This first piece focuses on Exeter’s identity, honouring the heritage and culture that make the city so distinctive.

Following a public call-out, InExeter invited a shortlist of artists to submit mural proposals based on the theme of celebrating Exeter’s unique culture. InExeter’s Street Art working group then selected Devon-based artist and illustrator Jamie Whyte, whose thoughtful and distinctive design perfectly captured the brief. Jamie has completed murals across the South West and his design for Gandy Street stood out for its creativity, depth, and the way it brings something new to Exeter’s growing street art landscape.

Nicola Wheeler, CEO of InExeter, said:

“It’s fantastic to see this new mural come to life on Gandy Street, one of Exeter City Centre’s most iconic destinations. Jamie Whyte has beautifully woven inspiration from the city’s museum exhibits into a piece that reflects the diverse and dynamic spirit of Gandy Street. Our aim was to celebrate Exeter’s unique identity and cultural richness, and Jamie has truly delivered. We hope this striking addition to Exeter’s street art scene brings joy and inspiration to all who encounter it.”

A community workshop was held with representatives from Gandy Street businesses and cultural institutions including the Library and Exeter Phoenix. The session was influential in capturing the essence of Gandy Street and its creative energy.

The design incorporates symbols from Toisa’s Cross, an Anglo Saxon monument that once stood on Gandy Street. The historic elements subtly merge with a circuit board motif, reflecting the intersection between Exeter’s heritage and digital innovation; a tribute to IT Champion, who own the wall where the mural is displayed. Golden sun rays radiate outward from the composition, adding light to the street. The left side of the wall has been designed for passersby to stand beneath and pose with the mural – creating an inviting, interactive space.

Over top of the mural are words from Arthur O’Shaughnessy’s poem Ode, which highlights Gandy Street as both a home for the arts in Exeter and for some of the city’s most distinct independent businesses.

At the heart of the mural is a painting of a man from A Portrait of a Man in a Red Suit, an 18th-century painting held in the archives of the Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM). The portrait depicts a Black man in a red suit, staring forward with a calm and commanding expression. The painting is notable for its autonomous depiction of a Black sitter which was rare in British art at the time. The sitter’s expression contributes to the painting’s power and mystery. The ambiguity of his gaze invites viewers to reflect on the sitter’s possible status and the broader historical context of diversity in Georgian Britain. By reintroducing this figure into a public space, it celebrates the diversity that has long been part of Exeter’s story and invites reflection on identity and representation in the city today.

Each new mural delivered by InExeter will be treated as its own creative project, with around two installations planned per year. While InExeter are leading the initiative, they are working collaboratively with city partners and community representatives to bring each piece to life. For this project, InExeter partnered with IT Champion, Exeter Culture, Exeter City Council and members of the Gandy Street business community. A special thank you goes to IT Champion for providing the space and helping to launch the first of ten new street art murals.

InExeter invites street artists with a passion for adding colour to the walls of Exeter to get in touch. Artists interested in future opportunities are encouraged to email info@inexeter.com with their portfolio and any relevant links. InExeter will keep a list of interested artists and will be in contact when projects arise.