Art of Protest believes in the power of art to tell stories, connect communities, and celebrate heritage. Our latest project in collaboration with Sunderland BID, Sunderland Culture, and the University of Sunderland, does just that. We are proud to unveil the newest addition to the Rebel Women, which is part of Future Walls, Sunderland’s ongoing street art programme curated and produced by Art of Protest with Sunderland BID.

Honouring Remarkable Women

Faye Fantarrow, who tragically passed away in 2023 at just 21, is the latest woman to be honoured. Her mural now proudly stands on High Street West, opposite Pop Recs, joining the ranks of other notable women such as Dr Marion Phillips, the city’s first female MP, musician Emeli Sandé, journalist and broadcaster Kate Adie, and Ida and Louise Cook, who helped many Jews escape Nazi Germany.

Art of Protest helped bring this project to life by producing and delivering a paste-up trail of Kathryn’s Rebel Women illustrations, as well as utilising our in-house team and involving Future Wall’s local talent development team to produce Faye Fantarrow’s mural, combining the skills of budding local artists with experienced professionals. Faye’s mural is now a permanent fixture that enriches the community and keeps Faye’s legacy alive.

Faye Fantarrow’s mural on High Street West, outside of Pop Recs

Honouring Remarkable Women

The Rebel Women of Sunderland project, launched in 2019, aims to recognise and celebrate the extraordinary women with strong connections to the city. These women have made significant contributions across various fields, from politics to the arts, sports, and education.

The project began by highlighting ten remarkable women through artwork and stories, and it has continued to grow, with new additions every year on International Women’s Day, 8 March. The collection of murals is now featured as paste-ups, all around Sunniside.

Bringing Stories to Life Through Art

The original illustrations for the Rebel Women of Sunderland were created by Kathryn Robertson, a Sunderland University graduate, as part of a project initiated by Sunderland Culture. These illustrations were complemented by stories written by Jessica Andrews, bringing the narratives of these incredible women to life.

Ida and Louise Cook, who helped many Jews escape Nazi Germany

“We are thrilled to be part of this project,” said Jeff Clark, Director at Art of Protest. “Our goal is to bring heritage into contemporary culture, making it relevant and engaging. The Rebel Women of Sunderland project perfectly aligns with our mission to use art as a medium for storytelling and community connection.”

Community Impact

Sharon Appleby, Chief Executive of Sunderland BID, expressed her excitement about the new mural and its impact on the community. “These women are all remarkable in their own way and have achieved so much in everything from politics to the arts, from sport to education,” she said. “What they have in common is their strong connection to the city, and it is amazing to be able to share their stories and continue to honor them through this public artwork.”

From left: Sharon Appleby, Professor Angela Smith of Sunderland University, Laura Brewis of We Make Culture and Sunderland University artist Kathryn Robertson

Professor Angela Smith from the University of Sunderland’s Faculty of Art and Creative Industries highlighted the importance of this project in showcasing the contributions of women in a city historically known for its masculine industries like shipbuilding and mining. “The project seeks to raise awareness of the contributions women have made to history and the contemporary world,” she said. “In Sunderland, we aim to show that there are remarkable women associated with the city.”

Explore the Trail

The Art and Culture Trail features other paste-ups around the city, including:

- Ida and Louise Cook at Tyre Shop, Villiers Street

- Marion Phillips at Sunniside Garden

- Florence Collard (representing the Shipyard women) at the corner of Villiers Street and Borough Road

- Katharine Backhouse (representing the Quaker women) at Francis Marshall, St Thomas Street

- Musician Emeli Sandé at Nile Street

- Lauren Laverne, Sunderland Radio DJ

At Art of Protest, we are committed to making art an integral part of community life, celebrating local heritage, and inspiring future generations through creative expression. We invite you to explore the Art and Culture Trail and discover the remarkable stories of Sunderland’s Rebel Women.

Join us in celebrating these incredible women and the vibrant community of Sunderland.

Celebrating Sunderland’s Rebel Women: Bringing Heritage to Life with a New Art and Culture Trail in Sunderland