The artwork features an array of vibrant designs, adhered to the library windows and fascia using vinyl to create a stained glass effect.
Artist, Douglas Black, said: “I have loved engaging with the community in Hemsworth. A place defined by its people and the efforts they make to create a warm and inclusive community. The people I met embody knowledge, creativity, and connection. The library isn’t just a place for information; it’s a hub of play, conversation, and vibrant community activity. In creating this mural, I wanted it to be a celebration of this, a way to share with the public the amazing activities that take place in Hemsworth’s community spaces. It’s about shining a spotlight on the energy, warmth, and resilience of this remarkable community.”
Lighting the Lanes features themes of nature, joy and community, with nods to Hemsworth’s industrial past, and its aspirations for the future.
The title Lighting the Lanes reflects the idea of bringing light and connection to different communities. “Lighting” has multiple meanings: the lightning that struck the Venerable Yew tree (a tree that has stood in the centre of Hemsworth for at least 700 years), the miner’s lamp, the light of knowledge found in books and people, the energy from coal and coal gas, and the symbolic “lighting up” of communication pathways that connect the community.
It also refers to the actual light created by the stained glass window designs, with the lanes and crossings around the library symbolizing pathways linking the past and the future. The library’s location, surrounded by many lanes, adds a literal connection to the title.
The mural invites those who encounter it to honour the past, engage with the present, and shape the future.