Establishing shot of Printfield and the walking trail
Stage one. Priming the Clifton Court Walls
Stage Two Alex and Andy on the wall cradel begining the mural stenciling
Stage Two Alex and Andy on the wall outling The Man UTD wall.
Stage Two: Alex and Andy work in close-up, applying the pouncing technique—an age-old method used to transfer designs from paper to surface. This same technique was employed by Leonardo da Vinci and other Renaissance artists during the preparation of frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, connecting the mural process to a long lineage of artistic practice.
Stage Three: Jerome Davenport (second left) from Blank Walls arrives to begin the huge task of applying the murals
Stage Three: Taking shape, Jerome and Charlie on the Man Utd wall
Site and Method
Over twenty-one days, Innes filmed and photographed the Printfield and Woodside areas of Aberdeen, as it got a fresh coat of paint: big Denis Law murals across Clifton Court, plus a new ten-stop walking trail through the streets he came from.
It’s not just the finished art, it’s the making of it: the chats, the ladders, the paint-splattered moments, and that slow buzz as a familiar place starts to feel brand new.
The Encounter and Reflection
As the murals emerged, so did the community around them. Residents paused on doorsteps, shared memories of Denis Law, and watched their building change in real time. Football became a common language, bridging generations, backgrounds, and experiences, while walking the trail encouraged people to slow down and re-engage with their surroundings.
My role was to remain present and responsive, documenting these encounters as they unfolded. Through this lens, the project became less about spectacle and more about connection: how pride is built, how stories are shared, and how public art can create moments of recognition and belonging within everyday life.
Aims and Relevance
This exhibition (films + stills) captures a 21-day burst of Printfield energy where football, place, and people collide to spark pride, connection, and proper community spirit.
The ‘Printfield 10’ shows how creative documentation can help community-led regeneration stay resident-led: real voices, real stories, real lived experience. It’s proof that backing public art isn’t just 'nice to have’, it builds lasting cultural value through participation, belonging, and a renewed sense of place.
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The bin-painting phase brought together local residents, members of the Law family, and Gray’s School of Art staff and students
Ray working with a student from the Gray’s School of Art Mobile Art School, sharing skills and ideas through hands-on creative practice
David Suttie, trustee of the Denis Law Legacy Trust, painting alongside local young people, sharing skills, stories, and pride of place.
Gray’s School of Art staff and volunteers coming together on site, supplying paint and rollers to support the mural project.
Printfield residents adding colour to the neighbourhood — painting bins together with smiles and pride.
Local resident Dave working on the Manchester United–themed bins as part of the Printfield community project
Harvey and Debbie from the Denis Law Legacy Trust
Final touches to the bin painting — the last careful marks bring colour, care, and character to a once-overlooked surface, turning the everyday into something shared and celebratory
The team behind the project, bringing together creativity, collaboration, and community.
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Park Murals Stage
An integral part of the walking trail, the park murals were shaped by ideas developed in local youth workshops and brought to life by Fine Day Design Studio, led by founder Colin with designers Maddie and Nina, working alongside Outlines Collective founders Kirsty and Naomi.
Featuring the Manchester United holy trinity and Leap to Enormous Heights
Before: The United Holy Trinity Silohette, stars Denis Law, George Best, and Bobby Charlton.
Night shift paint, featuring Colin, Maddie, Nina, Kirsty and Naomi
In the quiet of the day after, the legends of Manchester United start to surface
Job done. The United Holy Trinity mural is finally revealed — a collaborative work by artists Nina, Kirsty, Colin, Maddie and Naomi.
Outlines of the Leap to Enormous Heights
Nina and Maddie carefully preparing the silhouette of Denis Law — a quiet, hands-on moment before the artwork takes shape
Colin from Fine Day Studios painting the goal post — a small but symbolic detail bringing the mural to life.
Kirsty and Naomi getting stuck in together, applying the paint and bringing the mural to life, one careful layer at a time
Team Fine Day × Outlines Collective Artists, designers, and collaborators coming together — a shared moment that reflects the collective spirit, creativity, and community focus behind the work
Leap to Enormous Heights finished and alive with play. A local Printfield lad steps into goal beneath the completed mural, turning public art into a lived moment of pride and possibility
Leap to Enormous Heights
Known for his powerful headers, Denis honed his leap in his mum’s kitchen, practising daily on the drying pulley rope and its bobble
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The Signage and Plinths
A celebration of the building of Printfield 10
The Denis Law Legacy Trail is a self-guided walking route in Printfield, Aberdeen, that shares stories from Denis Law’s early life, football career, and humanitarian work, inspiring people of all ages.
Above are a selection of images showing the inspiring people behind the graffiti-style signage and the walking trail plinths.
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The Grand Unveiling
The images below show a collective of residents and the Denis Law family celebrating the opening of the Murals and Walking trail.
Clifton Court residents, carers, and 21 members of the Law family come together — a shared moment of pride, care, and connection at the heart of Printfield, reflecting the community spirit behind the Denis Law Legacy Trail.
Blue plaque unveiling outside the Denis family home — Denis Law’s sons and daughter gather to mark the place where it all began, honouring the life and legacy of Denis Law and his enduring connection to Printfield.
