A street art project bringing masterpieces to public spaces has reached Oxford with a large-scale interpretation of Van Gogh’s iconic Sunflowers painting.
The installation forms the centrepiece of a partnership between Westgate Oxford, the National Gallery and Global Street Art as part of the Murals reMastered initiative.
This particular piece marks the inaugural work from the programme to be displayed outside the capital.
According to Clare Martin, centre director at the shopping complex, the project represents an opportunity to connect audiences with celebrated artworks beyond traditional gallery settings.
She noted that the installation aims to make art and its historical significance more widely available to the local community.
The artwork will occupy a prominent position at the shopping centre’s entrance where Castle Street meets Church Lane.
Its selection acknowledges Oxford’s significant horticultural history, given that the city established Britain’s oldest botanical garden in 1621.
Completion of the piece is scheduled to require five working days, with artists from Global Street Art handling the execution.
An official reveal has been arranged for October 1, accompanied by seven days of associated programming.
The LEGO Store will stage a sunflower-themed takeover on September 26 and 27, featuring complimentary Stay & Play sessions where participants construct their own floral designs.
Further family-oriented entertainment follows on October 3 and 4, encompassing craft workshops, photographic stations with sunflower backdrops, and an interactive wishes installation.
Visitors contribute pledges about nature onto seed packet templates, which subsequently get planted through a community growing initiative.
Victors, the rooftop bar, will add a signature sunflower cocktail to its menu alongside an alcohol-free alternative for the duration of festivities.
Complimentary bouquets will be distributed by Freddie’s Flowers, while representatives from the Sunflower Society hand out seed packets for home cultivation.
Speaking on behalf of the National Gallery, Paul Gray, deputy director and chief operating officer, emphasised that the institution’s collection remains national property.
He explained that the murals programme creates opportunities to present works in innovative ways to audiences who might otherwise never engage with them, potentially generating interest and dialogue.
Phillip Hulme, development director at Global Street Art, described the undertaking as merging traditional and modern artistic approaches in an unprecedented partnership.
He noted that the participating muralists, recognised among the world’s finest in their field, drew considerable inspiration from the gallery’s collection and considered it a privilege to reinterpret these works at such scale.