More spaces to be transformed by Nuart Aberdeen have been revealed – including a stunning 11-meter long work by world-acclaimed artist Robert Montgomery at the iconic Bon Accord Baths.
Robert’s installation will mark a return to the street art festival for the Scottish artist who was at the heart of the first Nuart Aberdeen in 2017, with his text-based work at Jopps Lane becoming a much-loved part of the cityscape.
The location of his work was revealed as Aberdeen Inspired, which stages Nuart Aberdeen in partnership with Aberdeen City Council, submitted applications for several walls and spaces to become the canvas for participating artists, later this month.
These range from the side of Chapel Street car park, to the North East Scotland College at the Gallowgate, the Ibis Hotel on Shiprow, to a gable at the Merkur Casino on Summer Street.
Robert Montgomery’s work at Bon Accord Baths will be revealed by the artist in a high profile opening to Nuart Aberdeen on Wednesday, April 22, with the festival running until Sunday, April 26
His installation – the first time Nuart Aberdeen has created an indoor work - will reflect Robert’s signature style of stunning “visual poems” in illuminated words. It is being billed his most ambitious project yet with Nuart Aberdeen curator Martyn Reed.
“Set in the stunning Art Deco surroundings of the Bon Accord swimming pool, the 11-meter-long installation sets the tone for this year's festival, acting as a clarion call for love and empathy towards those less fortunate than ourselves,” said Martyn.
Bruce Strachan, chair of Bon Accord Heritage - which is working towards reopening the historic baths - said: “Bon Accord Heritage is delighted to be supporting Aberdeen Inspired and Nuart Aberdeen 2026 by providing Bon Accord Baths as a unique backdrop for an installation which will no doubt captivate public imagination and engagement.
“We can't wait to see it and see people in the Baths during the festival.”
Robert’s work will not be a permanent fixture at Bon Accord Baths, but it is hoped to find a permanent and prominent home for it in Aberdeen after the festival.
Other spaces to be transformed – and the artists who will be working on them – are included in the application made by Aberdeen Inspired to the council. These are:
- Chapel Street Car Park, Chapel Street, with artist The Rebel Bear: The street artist, known as ‘The Rebel Bear’ has been creating street art over the last 10 years throughout Scotland as well as London, Calais, Havana, Mumbai & New York.
- Ibis Hotel, 15 Shiprow, with artist James Klinge: An artist from Glasgow that brings an exciting contemporary approach to traditional forms of portraiture and figurative painting, specialising with hand cut stencils and spray paint.
- North East Scotland College, Gallowgate, with artist dr.d AKA Subvertiser: dr.d is a veteran street artist and ‘subvertiser’ based in London. Using a cut and paste technique developed in the fly posting industry of the 90’s to ‘doctor’ everything from big brand billboards to bus stops and beyond.
- Merkur Casino on Summer Street with artist HICKS: A London mural artist working through the tradition of the sublime landscape in British Romanticism.
- Denburn Road also with artist HICKS.
- Nickel & Dime, Crooked Lane, with artist Molly Hankinson: Molly is an English born artist living and working in Glasgow, Scotland. Her work deconstructs ideas of personal and collective gendered experiences into her playful, emotive, and energetic artworks.
- Rennies Wynd at the Green with artist Trackie McLeod: Trackie McLeod is a Scottish artist based in Glasgow. He uses sculpture, textiles, video and print to explore his lived experience.
More walls and the artists who will work on them are yet to be announced. They will join the mural already being created by Aberdeen-born artist KMG at the Cruickshank Botanic Garden on the University of Aberdeen campus in Old Aberdeen.
The theme for this year’s Nuart Aberdeen – Scotland’s national street art festival - supported by Finnies and Build Hollywood, is “Poetry Is In The Streets”.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “We know there is always an air of anticipation about where the next exciting and transformative Nuart Aberdeen murals and works will be going, we are delighted to reveal some of the proposed locations for this year.
“There are some truly iconic locations on Aberdeen’s cityscape in the mix and we can’t wait to see what these brilliant street artists – all at the top of their game – will produce.
“It’s also a real pleasure to welcome Robert Montgomery back to the Granite City. He is, as it were, one of the founding fathers of Nuart Aberdeen and I can think of no better location for his work than Bon Accord Baths.”
Councillor Martin Greig, culture spokesperson for Aberdeen City Council, said: “Nuart Aberdeen continues to inspire and invigorate our city, bringing stunning creativity right into the heart of our communities.
“This year’s theme, ‘Poetry Is In The Streets’, perfectly captures the spirit and energy of Aberdeen, and I look forward to seeing these new murals spark conversation and pride across the city.”
You can find out more about Nuart Aberdeen at the Aberdeen Inspired website.