connecting Generations: The Story Behind 'Extra Time'
Being an artist is a journey of discovery, constantly creating work that is personally meaningful while seeking to connect emotionally with others. Arthur Seabrigg, the artist behind the “Extra Time” mural on Queen Street in Morley, created the piece in 2021. His work delves into history and culture, exploring how values have dramatically shifted across generations.
Fascinated by the past, which he describes as feeling like a foreign country, Seabrigg draws inspiration from his close relationship with his grandfather. His grandfather, a steadfast believer in him and his best friend, left a profound mark on his life. When he passed away, Seabrigg felt as though a part of himself was lost, a devastation compounded by the simultaneous news that he was about to become a father. This bittersweet intersection of grief and joy led him to art as a form of therapy.
Three years after his grandfather’s passing, an unusual incident reignited his creative exploration. Seabrigg’s young son, while looking through old photographs, pointed to a picture of his great-grandfather and described having seen him before – playing trains and sneaking around the house. Though unsettling, this moment inspired Seabrigg to create a haunting artwork of a ghostly image on a glowing mirror, symbolising his attempt to process these emotions and move forward.
Making of the Morley Extra Time Mural
The opportunity to create the mural in Morley reopened this theme, giving it new depth. The mural became a way to explore the connection between his grandfather and son, separated by time and death but linked through Seabrigg himself. His art reflects his unease in a rapidly changing world, where identity often feels fragmented He believes his generation is the last to remember the wartime generation firsthand and often questions the obligation to preserve their traditions and values.
For Seabrigg, this connection to the past goes beyond material symbols like clogs and flat caps. It is about understanding the meaning behind traditions, such as the poppy’s symbolism, and recognising the sacrifices made by previous generations. He reflects on how older generations framed their sacrifices as a gift to the future and wonders how today’s society can live up to such a legacy.
Seabrigg’s work, while reflective, does not take a definitive stance. Instead, it raises questions about how society navigates its relationship with history and identity. He ponders whether future generations can move forward while honouring ancestral wisdom or risk repeating past mistakes by discarding these values entirely. The passing of Queen Elizabeth II, who embodied humility, self-sacrifice, and duty, adds poignancy to these reflections, as her death marked the potential end of an era of such values.
When the mural was unveiled, a viewer remarked, “I wish I had extra time with my Nana,” a sentiment that perfectly captured the essence of the piece. For Seabrigg, the mural ultimately conveys a timeless message: while traditions and stories may evolve, the most important legacy we can pass on is love.
Arthur Seabrigg is also Darran Gray – Lead Tutor and Manager of ArtsBloc.
Top Floor. Jubilee House, Church St, Morley, LS27 9JQ
www.artsbloc.co.uk
I chose the pseudonym Arthur Seabrigg to reflect my identity and the themes of my work. Arthur, my great-grandfather’s name, connects me to my roots and highlights the importance of history and lineage. Seabrigg, inspired by Filey Brigg in Yorkshire, ties me to place and legacy. Together, the name symbolises the transitions I explore – between past and present, living and dead – embodying personal history and my artistic and spiritual journey.
Darran Gray (when asked about his pseudonym)
