Street art installed on empty shop fronts across town centre by local artist

Those visiting the town over the past few weeks may have noticed a series of illustrations of people painted on empty shop windows and walls.

The images have been created by local artist and sculptor, Markrobla, whose real name is Mark Roberts.

Readers of Wrexham.com may remember some of Markrobla’s other sculptures installed across town, including the now infamous ‘man with his head stuck in a bin’ – along with a sculpture of a homeless man in a hammock.

Other works have focused on topics such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, with a sculpture of a man trapped in the railings outside the library installed in 2013.  An image of a man depicting the stereotypes of mental health and self-harm was also displayed in the Oriel Wrecsam later that year.

His newest work, which has been painted on empty shop windows, doors and walls across the town, show men and women who are blindfolded, tied up or expressing different emotions.

Some of the artwork has also been painted on the walls of Bank Street Coffee at the request of the owners.

Speaking to Wrexham.com, Mark said he hoped the paintings will encourage others to put their work up in the town centre.

Explaining the meaning behind the images, Mark said: “The paintings are individual pieces, so the inspiration for each one varies as a whole I would say they are based on people I see and have met through my life here and some are an amalgamation of two or three people.

“I choose to put them in the desolate abandoned parts of Wrexham in the hope it would draw more attention to these area, far too many empty shops in the town centre and I believe my paintings are better than seeing half ripped old circus posters

“I hope this will encourage others to put work up in Wrexham rather than the penis graffiti that has too prominent a place in places like Wrexham.”

“For me personally it’s still existentialism with my ethos of DMD – design make display.”

For more infomation about commissions or information about the artwork, please email [email protected]