Wigan artist's popular calligraphy project brings art to borough's beauty spots

Brian Whitmore, from Hindley, has been a calligrapher for 36 years and decided to use his creative skill to spread joy and hope.

He started his Wild Calligraphy project, in which he writes words or moving quotes on items and shares them in nature.

They have been placed in green spaces and other beauty spots across the borough and beyond and have proved to be popular.

Brian said: “I had been thinking of doing stuff in the wild before the pandemic. I have left pebbles here and there and thought about perhaps creating a bit of a furore with people wondering where they were coming from.

“Covid started and I thought I would try some during the walks we were allowed to do during the first lockdown.

“I live in Hindley and down Liverpool Road there is Amberswood Flash and Low Hall Nature Reserve.

“I started leaving things around Amberswood Flash and got lots of feedback on social media.

“I started going to Low Hall too. I was going every day nearly and leaving different pieces there. It got such an amazing response.

“It has really improved my calligraphy skill. It’s been challenging for me as well. I have been doing these positive quotes for people. It has helped my mindfulness, but it’s been a challenge creating things that are of the environment.”

Brian initially used paper for his artwork, but decided to get closer to nature by writing his calligraphy on wood, such as fallen tree trunks, and even on leaves.

His creations proved to be such a hit that they can now be found in locations across the borough, including at Mesnes Park and the grounds of St Wilfrid’s Church in Standish and St Elizabeth’s Church in Aspull.

Brian, 63, said: “I just leave them anywhere. When we could still travel, I went to Morecambe and left them on the shore. There was a wrecked boat and I left quotes there. Wherever I go, I try to leave something positive.”

Among the places where Brian’s art can be seen is Mesnes Park, where he secured permission from Wigan Council to write quotes on a green heart located there to promote the borough’s Greenheart.

He writes a new quote every few weeks to make sure people have something new to read while out for exercise during the lockdown.

His calligraphy is also on display at Hindley railway station for people to enjoy as they wait for a train or while passing through.

The project has been a real boost for Brian’s career as an artist but also helped other people.

“I have got offers of work and I have had commissions,” he said.

“I have hundreds and hundreds of really nice messages with feedback. People have said they helped them through really dark periods of their life.

“It has been really good. I am really proud of what I have done.”

Brian is delighted that while art galleries may be closed due to the national lockdown, people can still enjoy art without going far from home.

Before the pandemic, he would share his work at art fairs and craft fairs, held calligraphy workshops and used art to support people through Start In Salford and his own company Redfolio, which has worked with The Brick and other organisations.

He has plenty of ideas to continue his Wild Calligraphy project and has already had offers of work for when the pandemic is over.

He has now turned his attention to an initiative with poet Louise Fazackerley, after they secured funding from Wigan Council.

Brian will create Wild Calligraphy in 18 Greenheart locations across the borough, while Louise will write a collection of 18 short poems inspired by each piece of art.

Photographs of each artwork and the poems will be available on social media and could even be collated in a book eventually.

The project begins in February and will run until April.

Brian said: “It’s to support well-being and give residents of all ages the chance to get outside and explore green spaces.”

The calligraphy will compliment the beauty spots across the borough and are sure to be another popular addition to the project.

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