Page 7 - Real Rochdale Issue 13 Spring 2022

Doodlher The self-taught artist has also been pasting “Towns like Rochdale are actively inviting

smaller examples of her artwork in secret
artists to decorate the town with art to create
that ‘destination feel’ but organic,
locations around town, with permission
granted for those in prominent locations.
spontaneous art is still viewed as taboo, even
personality shine through.”
She explained: “I don’t reveal their locations,
just a photo on my social media feeds and though it’s that stuff which makes a town’s true
With murals spanning Rochdale town people have to hunt them down. Doodlher added: “We all know what walls look
centre, local artist Doodlher has well and like – so when you see something unexpected,
truly put her creative mark on the town.
“I’m enjoying this approach to displaying my like a piece of street art, I feel that it truly has
doodles. Previously my original drawings would the power to snap you out of routine thoughts
Real name Victoria Whitaker, Doodlher’s either be boxed away forever in a sketchbook and can make your stroll from A-to-B that
work can be seen from the Duke of or stacked in a drawer. Pasting my illustrations little bit more interesting.
Wellington outside the Wellington Mews somewhere ‘in the wild’ gives them a new lease
apartments on Smith Street to the mural at
Reel Cinema. of life and I hope will put a smile on the faces of “If there’s one thing we’ve all learnt from being
those who spot them. cooped up indoors during the last two years,
it’s that getting outside and experiencing art
Her latest commissions include a two-stage “I am looking at putting more pieces up, so if a in some form (be it music, theatre, cinema or
project at the former Butterworth business did want one outside, they can always visual arts) is so important for our wellbeing.
Jewellers building on Drake Street, and
a mural at the Voltalab Sound Studios on Part of the mural on the Kenion Street music building get in touch to join my paste-up art trail list.” “I hope that by displaying my art outdoors it
Kenion Street – known for being the Whilst some may view any form of street art as becomes more accessible for everyone to enjoy,
recording studio for Joy Division – as well graces the back of the building, whilst five graffiti, Doodlher opposes this, saying: in their own time. I’ve already had messages
as some smaller ‘secretive’ works. decorative window decals – inspired by stained
glass – feature on the front. “Paste-ups are a huge part of street art and are from people who have either already found them
The former Butterworths has been usually associated as being ‘graffiti’ even if and thanked me for the fun, or who are excited
to get out and look for them as a family activity.”
they’re technically not. This type of art has so
transformed, ready for its new lease of life The rear mural depicts a number of local much potential for fun, inclusive, free outdoor
as the Co-operative Enterprise Hub. A connections and nods to local heritage, activities like art hunts.
painted mural taking its main colour from including bees, a heroic dog which rescued a
the building’s vibrant terracotta bricks family, a wheatsheaf, the Pioneers and a bobbin.

Doodlher said: “I designed the vinyl artwork
myself by converting the original character pen
drawings made for the mural into digital
graphics. Unlike the painted mural, the window
designs have inherited the old shop front’s
beautiful yellows and gold leaf accents.

“It’s nice to see a project finally come together.
Including the mural, this project has been a long
one with lots of hard work conceptualising,
designing and then creating the final artwork.”

She added: “It’s been an honour to sprinkle some
of my creativity onto the Drake Street heritage
action zone regeneration project.”

The famous Kenion Street Music Building has
also been treated to a Doodlher makeover, with
a large paste-up mural made from a series of
individual pen drawings. These have then been
scanned, sized-up, printed and layered before
being pasted onto the wall with a home-made
wheat flour glue.