There is a blurred red flower bed that sits in the foreground of the image. Behind it is the mural, which depicts a lace pattern on a purple background. Artist, Nespoon is stood in the left hand corner of the building painting the wall. Artist, Nespoon, is crouched in front of the mural she has painted, with a paintbrush in hand. The mural is a white lace pattern that sits on a purple background. There is a historic building in the corner of the image.
Free

On display now

The Portal

NeSpoon

New street art inspired by old traditions.

Event Details
Date On display now
Location Church Bank House, near Bradford Cathedral
Ages All ages
Access
  • Wheelchair user access

The first new street art in our BD: Walls series takes its inspiration from Bradford’s lace-making heritage.

Polish street artist NeSpoon brings a Bradford tradition into the 21st century with The Portal, a huge new mural in the heart of Bradford.

BD: Walls

The Portal is part of BD: Walls, a collection of new street art commissioned by Bradford 2025 for walls across Bradford District – paying vibrant tribute to our heritage while celebrating our dynamic street art culture.

About The Portal

‘The inspiration for my mural came from a lace pattern I discovered during research in the archives of Bradford District Museum & Galleries. The lace was made in the 1900s using a hand-needle lace technique, one of the most difficult and labour-intensive lace-making techniques. The selected fragment of the pattern, painted on the wall, reminds me of a portal to another world.

‘All my works have been inspired by the art of lace-making, a search for the simplest codes of beauty and harmony. Symmetrical lace patterns have a mesmerising character. They come from the world of nature and they are everywhere around us: in the petals and leaves of flowers, in the skeletons of sea creatures, in snowflakes, and in patterns painted by frost on windows.

‘They are universal and recognisable all over the world, in all cultures. They are often associated with family, home, childhood, security, good old times. I believe that my works based on lace motifs emit good energy. People just like them and smile when they see them.’

About NeSpoon

NeSpoon is a Polish artist who fuses urban art, painting and traditional ceramics. Over time, lace patterns have become her signature style – as on this striking mural.

For more information, visit NeSpoon’s website.

Getting to The Portal

Church Bank House
26 Church Bank,
Bradford
BD1 4DZ

Use our sustainable travel planner below to find the best route to The Portal.

Credits
Commissioned by Bradford 2025 and City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council. Supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Morrisons Foundation.

Lead image: © David Lindsay
Yellow and green spray painted words 'MAPA', sitting on a red background. There is a ladder to the left of the picture and artist, Peachzz with her back turned to the right.

BD: Walls

We're turning the streets into galleries with BD: Walls, a district-wide exhibition with a difference.

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