Public Street Art as an Expression of Multiple Heritages: The Case of Leicester

Over the last ten years, the city of Leicester has become one of the fascinating centres of street art in England, with events and performances that have brought global interest and inspired a new generation of artists who are redefining its visual landscape.

This transformation process is connected to a broader renovation, represented by examples of urban regeneration, the reuse of former industrial buildings, and a remarkable increase in cultural pluralism. The production of street artists represents and celebrates this mutation, challenging and critically assessing this new image and, as an ever-changing art form, reflects the multiple aspects that define the city’s identity, generating a continuous negotiation with the existing built environment.

This paper explores the artistic production of three specific portions of the town, each characterised by a distinct theme. In particular, the repurposing of neglected spaces in the city centre, the celebration of diversity and multiculturalism, and the desire of the city to include sports as part of its evolving heritage are elements analysed in relationship with the urban contest for their architectural and aesthetic values.