EMPTY town centre shops have been given an uplifting and thought-provoking make-over by an acclaimed artist.

Mark Titchner, who was nominated for the Turner Prize in 2006, has produced a new series of public artworks which are now on display across Colchester.

Entitled Some Questions About Colchester, the challenging pieces have been placed in the windows of several vacant shops.

Designed to reflect both the concerns and aspirations of the town’s eclectic population, Mark was inspired after asking residents about issues facing the town.

To gain a better insight, he held a series of workshops towards the end of last year, at which residents shared their critical and unique perspectives of the area.

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Mark said: “I am pleased to have had the opportunity to develop a new public artwork for Colchester.

“I spoke to a wide range of people of different ages, backgrounds and interests all presenting a frank and personal view of the town.

“From these conversations, I developed a series of linked artwork, displayed in vacant shop units that confront the viewer with a direct question that relates to life in Colchester today.”

Mark’s foray into transforming High Street eyesores with eye-catching artworks came after the team at Our Colchester spotted his work at an exhibition at Firstsite.

They thought it would be a positive addition to their Vacant Unit Vision and continued efforts to improve the town centre.

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Sam Good, who is the Business Improvement District manager at Our Colchester, praised the continued level of interest shown by both the public and Mark.

He said: “The artwork we have now has been created by the public - it is bespoke to Colchester.

“We are already seeing people stopping and looking at the pieces and it creates discussion – it is unique and it gets you thinking.

“Mark is really proud of the works and it has given Colchester residents a sense of ownership - people have really bought into it.”

The artworks are displayed in units which formerly housed Superdrug, Clarks, Geller butchers and Sloppy Joes and will soon appear in 39 Head Street and Thornton’s.

In celebration of the new pieces, an exhibition was launched at Firstsite on Friday.

Sally Shaw, Firstsite director, said: “By listening to Colchester residents’ concerns and posing these as questions to the entire town, we are starting to uncover issues affecting our community.

“A vital part of our mission is to bring the community into the heart of our exhibitions, making art that is relevant to local people and that helps us to think imaginatively.

“Some Questions About Colchester does just that.”