Bid to secure eye-catching mural for Perth by top US artist.

ARTWORK: Council bosses in talks with US-based Kelsey Montague, who is known for her eye-catching designs around the world

Perth is bidding for Instagram stardom with plans for a huge mural designed by pop icon Taylor Swift’s favourite street artist.

Council bosses are in talks with US-based Kelsey Montague about creating an eye-catching artwork in the city centre, The Courier can reveal.

The social media favourite saw her popularity explode earlier this year when singer Swift commissioned her to create a mural in Nashville.

Montague is known for her kaleidoscopic butterfly wing designs, which have appeared on walls in cities such as New York and Buenos Aires.

The 33-year-old’s work has also been displayed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum, just around the corner from the White House.

The display planned for Perth, on Bridge Lane, Mill Street, would be her first permanent artwork in the United Kingdom.

The project is part of the multimillion-pound City of Light project, which aims to illuminate landmark buildings and breathe new life into side streets and alleyways.

Scottish artists Elizabeth Ogilvie and Rob Page were tasked with creating an animated installation on another part of Mill Street earlier this year.

In papers which have been lodged with Perth and Kinross Council’s planning office, city development project officer Alan Farnington said that the mural would provide an “interactive attraction for visitors, residents and workers”.

He described Montague as “a welltravelled muralist” who “emerged as one of the most admired artists on social media, with more than 150,000 followers on Instagram.”

He said: “One of the biggest reasons behind Kelsey’s popularity among the younger generation is that she encourages them to express themselves on social media through her art.

“Kelsey has works displayed all over the world but, to date, no sites of permanent works in the UK.

“Subsequently, this provides Perth with an opportunity to be showcased as well as that of her artwork.”

Mr Farnington said the two Mill Street pieces would be part of a new project called Perth Arteries, with a logo designed by Wayne Hemingway.

More public art is planned for Kirkgate and the Guard Vennel.

A draft design for Montague’s mural has been drawn up, but the final piece will only be decided once she has had the chance to visit the site for herself.

The council still requires advertising consent before any work can progress on the site.

One of the most admired artists on social media, with more than 150,000 followers on Instagram. ALAN FARNINGTON

Clockwise, from above: Taylor Swift at the Kelsey Montague What Lifts You Up mural she commissioned in Nashville, Tennessee; a visualisation showing what the mural on Bridge Lane, Mill Street, could look like, although a final design has yet to be decided; Kelsey Montague unveils interactive mural City Of Angels, in Universal City, California.