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Smug’s Powerful Mural in Greenock, Scotland: A Conversation Starter for Normalizing Breastfeeding
Content warning: Today, we take you to Greenock, Scotland, where street artist Smug last year created a thought-provoking mural with an essential message. This artwork aims to spark conversations around normalizing breastfeeding and improving the town's breastfeeding rate
Today, we take you to Greenock, Scotland, where street artist Smug last year created a thought-provoking mural with an essential message.
This artwork aims to spark conversations around normalizing breastfeeding and improving the town’s breastfeeding rates, which are currently among the lowest in the world. Let’s explore the inspiration behind this striking mural and the collaboration that made it possible.
“Hopefully this mural will spark conversation that will lead to normalising breastfeeding and improve breastfeeding rates in the area” – Smug
Greenock, recently named the most deprived area in Scotland, faces a significant challenge when it comes to breastfeeding. On average, only 19% of mothers continue breastfeeding after six weeks, with specific areas in Greenock showing even lower rates, dropping to as low as 1%. This puts the town in the unfortunate position of having the second-worst breastfeeding rate globally.
A Catalyst for Change
Smug’s powerful mural hopes to inspire conversations that will ultimately help normalize breastfeeding and improve breastfeeding rates in Greenock. This collaborative project involved Inverclyde Health and Social Care Partnerships’ Infant Feeding Team and received support from Oak Tree Housing Association. Smug expressed gratitude to Catriona, the driving force behind this impactful mural, and Angela, who served as an excellent model.
The Artist’s Determination
Creating this mural was no easy feat. Smug faced four named storms during the ten days spent working on the piece, enduring relentless rain and freezing temperatures. Despite these challenges, the artist persevered, making this mural a testament to dedication and passion in the face of adversity.
More by Smug: Street Art Murals by SMUG – A Collection 2
24 Times SMUG Made Walls Look More Real Than Life
In Glasgow, Scotland.
I’ve always been drawn to SMUG’s art—there’s just something amazing about how he brings everyday faces to life on such a massive scale.
Known worldwide for his super-realistic portraits, SMUG’s murals are incredibly detailed and often tower up to 14 stories high! His work isn’t just impressive; it’s a mix of creativity and skill, with each piece telling its own story through light, shadow, and careful detail.When SMUG starts a mural, he’s not just copying a photo; he’s adapting to the wall in front of him. Every wall, with its own texture and quirks, becomes part of the artwork. Seeing him turn these challenges into part of the art is what makes his work so incredible.
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In Frankston, Victoria, Australia at The Big Picture Fest.
Be sure to keep up with SMUG’s latest creations by following him on Instagram. For more of SMUG’s remarkable works, check out our previous collection: See some of his older murals in this collection from 2011.
Don’t forget to share your photos of SMUG’s street art in our Facebook group, Your Street Art Utopia.
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Tribute to SMUGs grandparents in Melbourne, Australia.
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Photo by @thedreadedcatstudios
In Wirrabara, South Australia.
SMUG: Wirrabara, South Australia. One of my most challenging murals to date. I can’t imagine anyone actually enjoys painting 30m tall murals on a curved surface but, contrary to just about everything I said when I finally finished this, I’m kind of keen to do another one! Haha! I love rural Australia and really regret that I didn’t have more time to spend there to fully appreciate it.5
In Leicester, UK at Bring The Paint Street Art Festival.
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In Karlstad, Sweden for Artscape.
SMUG: One of the most absorbant walls I’ve ever worked on so I killed A LOT of cans on this one and spent a couple of days longer than I wanted to on it.7
In Kreuzberg, Berlin at Berlin Mural Fest.
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This two Squirrels are from Street Art Festival in Belgium.
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For Project SAATO in Paris, France.
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In Västervik, Sweden at BANK! Västervik Street Art.
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At Upeart in Kotka, Finland.
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At Waterford Walls Street Art Festival in Ireland.13
Mural in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
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At Yardworks in Glasgow, Scotland.
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In Melbourne, Australia.
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For Artscape in Årjäng, Sweden.
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At Wonderwalls Festival in Wollongong, Australia.
SMUG: It was a real push to finish this one. Ended up only having 3 days after the local authorities threw their weight around trying to stop us. Plus for a Sunday sunset haired dude like me it was freaking hot as all hell!18
In North Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
SMUG: Painting the local legend Cam, who drops knowledge on everyone and carves these beautiful heart brooches for the women of Hobart to help them fall in love with him. Not my usual color palette but had a lot of fun painting this one.19
For Colour Tumby Street Art Festival in Tumby Bay, Australia.20
In Glasgow, Scotland.
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In Melbourne, Australia.
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Photo by @fredrikakerberg
Photo by @fredrikakerberg
Photo by @fredrikakerberg
Mural in Partille, Göteborg for Artscape.
SMUG: My wall for this years Artscape project in Partille, Göteborg. This year we were given a folk tale to base our murals on and I was given the tale of Revontulet. In the Finnish origin story of the Aurora Borealis a firefox wins favor of the villagers by igniting the sky with the Northern Lights to help a lost hiker find his way in the icy woods. This is now the tallest mural in Sweden and whispers are saying the tallest in Scandinavia.23
Mural paying tribute to farmers by Smug in Lameroo, Australia for Lameroo Silo Art. Curated by Juddy Roller.
Lameroo Silo Art: The incredible Lameroo Silo Art Project is officially completed on the Eastern Viterra Silo, in Lameroo, South Australia. The mural was completed in just 3 weeks, by the extraordinarily talented Sam ‘SMUG’ Bates, at the heels of art curators Juddy Roller! This artwork beautifully reflects Lameroo’s rich farming routes, paying tribute to the resilience of our pioneering farmers, in establishing life and livelihood. The picture aims to capture the essence of the Mallee farmer—a symbolic representation of unwavering spirit and hope, which is still alive in our community today.24
Photo by Gordon Terris.
By SMUG in Glasgow, Scotland.
In collaboration with the Govan Housing Association in honour of its 50th anniversary, inspired by the Govan-born ‘Daffodil King’, Peter Barr. Barr is credited with bringing the daffodil back into fashion in the late 1800s, and the Memorial Cup is given out each year to those who follow in his footsteps and advance the standing of daffodils.What do you think of SMUG’s street art? Do you have a favorite?
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