A major new art installation commissioned by the Crescent Partnership and the Crescent Culture Collective (CCC) has been unveiled at the Old Police Station in Salford.

Entitled ‘In The Midst of It All’, the piece has been commissioned as part of Salford’s centenary celebrations – marking 100 years since it was granted city status by Royal assent –and has been created by local artists Mike Emerson and Sian Ford. The duo, from Mikesian Studio, are best known for their bold, graphic compositions, which use combinations of colour, shape and language to create engaging public art, and their transformation of the Old Police Station is typical of their distinctive style.

The central giant motif of the artwork reads In The Midst of It All – a nod to the building’s location on the busy A6 at the heart of Crescent’s cultural area and opposite the University’s stand-out red Salford sign.

The commission forms part of CCC’s wider cultural programme, which was created to champion cultural activity across the area, increase participation and awareness, drive footfall, support local artists, and promote connectivity throughout Salford.

It’s backed by the Crescent Partnership, comprising ECF (a joint venture between nationwide placemaker Muse, L&G and Homes England), Salford City Council, and the University of Salford. Between them, they are delivering the £2.5bn, 240-acre Crescent Salford masterplan, which will see the biggest regeneration of this area of the city ever undertaken.

The installation has also been funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), with additional investment by the Crescent Partners. The project has been managed by Solid Ground.

Speaking about the artwork, Sian Ford from MikeSian Studio said: “We’ve grown up in the area and we have a studio in Paradise Works, Salford, so we were honoured to be chosen for this. There’s always a lot happening in Salford, from the cultural spaces through to the everyday flow of people moving through it, so the brief to reflect that felt less about defining the area and more about capturing a sense of activity.

“We’ve created a piece which we feel reflects Salford’s culture and legacy. The vibrancy is captured in every detail, celebrating both Salford’s industrial roots and its evolving creative spirit.” 

Max Bentham, director of development management at ECF said, “The Old Police Station has long been an important part of Crescent Salford’s cultural identity. This new artwork gives the currently unused building a fresh new look and creates a striking landmark within the Crescent area.

“Salford is a place full of passionate people who are proud of their city; the Crescent Salford masterplan is designed to reflect this and create a place that promotes creativity and culture. The addition of this artwork will certainly brighten the area for anyone passing by.”

Lindsay Taylor, Director of the University of Salford Art Collection and chair of the Crescent Culture Collective, said, “At the University of Salford, we are proud of our northern heritage and with a dynamic School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology, it is really important that we provide opportunities for local artists. We are also here to enrich the daily lives of our local communities, so we are delighted with the new artwork. 

“It is a deliberate statement of intent about culture and creativity being at the heart of the Crescent. The artists were inspired by their research at the local history library and combined this with their inimitable style. This project is the first co-commission by Crescent Culture Collective in collaboration with the wider Crescent partners, and we are delighted that it’s part of the Salford 100 celebrations.”

Councillor Hannah Robinson-Smith, Lead Member for Culture, Heritage, Equalities, Sports and Leisure at Salford City Council, said: “It is wonderful to see the façade of the Old Police Station on Crescent rejuvenated by Mikesian in this way. I studied at the University of Salford and cannot remember the building ever looking this good! A makeover of this scale and creativity is a fitting celebration of one of Salford’s landmark buildings during this Centenary year, and we are delighted with the results.”

The CCC is a network of cultural and creative organisations based in and around Salford Crescent, including the University of Salford Art Collection, Salford Museum and Art Gallery (SMAG), The Working Class Movement Library, From the Other and Salford Pride.