University of Hull & Wybers Wood Academy
Shape of Water is a collaborative mural project developed with the University of Hull as part of the Water Data for People , an exploration of how creative practice and data can help communities better understand and connect with water and its impact on everyday life.
Working alongside Year 6 pupils from Wybers Wood Academy, the project invited young people to explore themes of rainfall, flooding, water usage and climate change, and how these issues shape their local environment. Through a series of creative workshops, pupils were introduced to climate awareness, as well as street art and mural practices from around the world.
The workshops encouraged hands-on creative experimentation using water, paint, pencil, and collage. Through mark-making, symbols, colour, and layering, each pupil created their own visual responses, reflecting their ideas and experiences.
These individual artworks were then brought together to influence the final design into a cohesive large-scale mural. The final composition was created specifically for the school site, responding to a prominent exterior wall. A central water planter became the focal point of the piece, anchoring the design both visually and conceptually.
The mural was designed with participation at its heart. During the painting phase, pupils played an active role in bringing the work to life, watching their ideas grow from small-scale experiments into a bold, shared public artwork.
Get In Touch With Me