Graffiti pros' tricks make skatepark a work of art

THE first major purpose-built skatepark in the city has been covered in graffiti ahead of its official opening – by a group of professional artists.

• Graffiti artist Aaron Sinclair tries out the new skatepark Picture: Ian Georgeson

The long-awaited skatepark within Saughton Park has been spray-painted with a variety of colourful images of skateboarders, in-line skaters and even Arthur's Seat.

The artworks decorating the walls of Saughton Skatepark – the largest in Scotland – were created by graffiti artists from across the country. The six men have spent the last four days spray-painting, with the artwork – which also incorporates drawings from pupils at Stenhouse Primary and Balgreen Primary schools – completed yesterday.

Artist Aaron Sinclair, 29, who lives in Leith, said: "I think it looks incredible. What has been done in a few days is really impressive, but with a lot more time and a bit more of a budget, we could make it like an art museum as well as a skatepark."

Mr Sinclair, who is studying for a degree in illustration at Edinburgh College of Art, decided to add a local landmark to the artwork by spray-painting an image of Arthur's Seat on one of the walls.

He said: "Because it's the first skatepark in Edinburgh, I wanted to do something like the landscape, so I did Arthur's Seat. In the next couple of months we will come back and re-do bits, and follow up on ideas."

The area covers 2,100 square metres, with jumps, ramps and bowls for skateboarders, BMX bikers and in-line skaters.

Members of the public will be able to use the 750,000 skatepark from tomorrow, although the official opening is not until 8 May.

Cycle stunt team The Clan will perform demonstrations and offer "come and try" sessions at the launch, which will also be attended by expert skateboarders, stunt unicyclists and Skateboard Scotland, the sport's governing body.

Freelance graffiti artist Fraser Gray, 23, who was also involved in the artwork, said: "It's a good surface to work on but it's also pretty difficult, because you can be painting while standing on a 40 degree slope so you slide about all over the place and it gets quite tiring.

"I'm quite pleased with it. A few people have walked past and they seemed to react quite positively to it."

The Saughton facility is the culmination of a decade of campaigning by the Edinburgh Skatepark Project (ESP), whose members helped create the final layout with designer Dave Sowerby.

The council's culture and leisure convener, councillor Deidre Brock said: "This artwork produced by these talented artists in conjunction with local youngsters is an exciting addition to our new skatepark."

Mr Sinclair added: "It's an artist's playground as well as a skater's playground. One of the main concerns I have is that I hope it gets treated with some respect. It's an amazing thing for Edinburgh."