An Urban makeover

A new look for Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery’s Georgian cafe

Peterborough Museum &Art Gallery’s traditional Georgian café has been given a makeover as part of the Urban street art exhibition. The café inside this former grand Georgian mansion has had an Urban takeover with upcycled graffiti furniture, paint-sprayed chairs and a massive mural by local street artist Nathan Murdoch.

Nathan, who set up his company Street Arts Hire five years ago, painted the feature wall using a blend of street art styles and also added his creative touch to the museum’s entrance pillars.

“It’s only a small wall but I tried to cover as many elements about the culture as possible,” he said. “I also tagged local street artists in Peterborough from the past and present, including many who have inspired me over the years.”

The eating space, which has been renamed, The Urban Kitchen, also features two chairs by Stamford-based artist Paul Kneen, whose work is on display at Urban under the title Something’s Wrong.

Paul has been involved in various street art festivals and paint jams including Cheltenham Paint Festival and Peterborough’s Korpfest.

Even the menu at the museum café has been given a modern Urban makeover, with street food, including a Buddha bowl of colourful salad and rice.

Sheena Carman, curator at Peterborough Museum & Art Gallery, said: “The exhibition has been attracting new visitors to the museum and we want them to have an immersive experience in a relaxed and welcoming environment.”

Urban Exhibition is at the museum until May 29 and features original works by major international artists including Banksy, Damien Hirst and My Dog Sighs. Some of the items have rarely been exhibited in the UK before.

General admission is £8 for over 18s, £5 for children aged 1218 and free for under 12s. Tickets can be booked in advance at https://cityculturepeterborough.org.uk/museum-art-gallery.