Rat spiders from Hull? Meet the artist behind the mural that inspired the region’s latest sculpture trail
UNIQUE DESIGN: Artist Hannah Van Green with her spider rat
By Rick Lyon, Co-Editor
If you’re wondering what to do this summer, look no further than the A Mischief of Rats that have invaded Hull and East Yorkshire.
The region has been transformed into an open-air gallery with 45 giant, artist-decorated rat sculptures, each of which celebrates the area’s cultural heritage, inspired by local music legend Mick Ronson and his band, The Rats.
Each rat has been sponsored by a local organisation, and will be auctioned off at the end of the summer to raise money for the Daisy Appeal.
The public are invited to explore Hull city centre and beyond, with sculptures spiralling out across East Yorkshire. Each 6ft rat has been uniquely designed by artists, drawing on themes such as Ronson’s musical legacy, health and medical science, rats in popular culture, maritime connections and imaginative artistic makeovers.
One rat was chosen to showcase Ronson himself - created by local artist Hannah Van Green, with support from Peter Ward Homes.
“I loved the brief as I love subverting people’s perceptions,” said Hannah.
“The rat is often seen as a repulsive animal, associated with disease and dereliction, so to turn 6ft versions into something appealing and aesthetic was the opportunity of a lifetime. Despite being eight months pregnant, I knew I had to be involved!”
Hannah had previously celebrated Ronson in a now demolished mural in Queens Gardens, so was chosen as the artist to honour the man who inspired the whole trail.
INSPIRATION: Hannah’s rat design honours music legend Mick Ronson
She said: “It gives me great pride that my rat honours Mick. He helped shape the vibrant live music scene in Hull and beyond, and inspired so many of us to follow our creative passions. He continues to have thousands of dedicated fans, many of whom used to visit the gardens to see the mural.
“My design was inspired by Mick’s time with David Bowie in Spiders from Mars, using gold-spun webs to adorn the rat and create the framing to showcase the mural of Mick I’ve recreated for all his fans.”
The Willerby artist, who has a degree in Illustration from Hull School of Art and Design and a Community Arts Award from Artlink, has been a self-employed artist for more than ten years.
Working with organisations such as Scrapstore, Crafty Cat and Apus Productions, Hannah runs creative workshops in schools, youth clubs, adult learning centres and care homes across the region, inspiring others to explore their creative side.
Her design can be found in Beverley town centre.
Louise Brooks, marketing manager at Peter Ward Homes, said “We’re thrilled to be part of A Mischief of Rats, and proud that our rat honours the man that inspired it all. We’ve loved working with Hannah and have enjoyed seeing the rat come to life with her creative vision.
“Not only does the trail encourage people to explore our wonderful region and our latest developments across the region, it’s also raising awareness and vital funds forthe Daisy Appeal, something which many people across Hull and East Yorkshire will experience and depend on at some point in their lives.”
The trail will run until the end of August 2025, culminating in a charity auction on September 20, when the sculptures will be sold to raise funds for the Daisy Appeal. The charity supports cutting-edge research and facilities for cancer, heart disease and dementia detection at Castle Hill Hospital. Organisers hope the auction will raise in excess of £150,000.