Mick George Ltd Encourages Graffiti
Mick George Limited, the premier provider to the construction and waste industries in the East of England, has taken a unique stance on the problem of graffiti – it is encouraging it!
The story began when Mick George’s Financial Director, Jon Stump, had a moment of inspiration when he witnessed a graffiti artist spraying a bridge in St Neots near Cambridge.
Rather than being vandalised, the bridge was in fact the subject of a project organised by Huntingdonshire District Council's countryside service's team and ‘Natural High’, a charity that works with vulnerable young people. The brick bridge, at Barford Road Pocket Park in St Neots, was decorated with a scene of the houses, lake and park in the background - as if the bridge were transparent.
Jon Stump stopped to talk to the artist working on the project and asked him if he would be interested in plying his trade on some of Mick George’s large fleet of construction vehicles.
The artist in question was Jonnie Barton, an internationally acclaimed graffiti artist who had recently won the 2008 UK heat of ‘Write4Gold’ (www.write4gold.info), the world’s most prestigious street art competition. Jonnie had then gone on to represent the UK in the European finals in Germany where he finished 3rd overall.
As a professional graffiti artist, Jonnie and his company ‘Kosha Creations’ have undertaken a wide range of projects for companies, youth organisations and local authorities throughout the UK. He has recently completed a mural depicting a pictorial history of St Neots on the back wall of Crosskeys Mews, near the Priory Centre, in the town.
Jon Stump said: 'I thought the application of graffiti art to our bulk vehicles would be eye-catching, contemporary and unique. Jonnie’s brief was to supply designs for his interpretation of the name ‘Mick George’ in his own unique style.'
The final designs were applied to the vehicles and proved to be an instant success. 'Our vehicles used to be a bit bland but they have benefitted enormously from the distinctive new graphics created by Jonnie and they continue to generate many favourable comments from our customers and the general public,” commented Jon. “We aim to continue using Jonnie’s services to brighten up our ever expanding fleet of vehicles.'
Mick George’s vehicles can regularly be seen on the road in the Eastern region and on the company’s website: www.mickgeorge.co.uk. Jonnie Barton’s company, Kosha Creations, can be contacted on: 07890 738431.
As featured on Cambs24 online www.cambs24.co.uk