Iconic Plasticine character Morph stopped by Whitley Bay to step out on an art trail that’s very close to his heart.
The endearing five inch high claymation beloved of generations of children came face-to-face with six life-size versions of himself dotted around Whitley Bay town centre, as he put his best foot forward on Morph’s Epic Art Adventure.
The mischievous ball of Plasticine was joined on his whistle stop tour by his creator, Peter Lord, who had an admission to make about “my mate Morph” - he had made him especially for the occasion on the flight up to Newcastle from his home in Bristol!
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As fans of Morph will know, the little guy who speaks an unintelligible language can change shape and is always reinventing himself, whether it be a sphere to move around or a cylinder that can sink through solid objects to pass between different levels.
But he has stretched himself to new heights on Morph’s Epic Art Adventure, which features 20 life-sized, individually designed characters in his own image located in town centres across North Tyneside.
Peter, who is creative director of Bristol-based Aardman Animations, perhaps best-known for its Wallace and Gromit and Shaun the Sheep adventures, said Morph was “chuffed to bits” and “almost unbearably pleased” to see himself.
“I think he has something of a swollen head, and he has been particularly impressed with the Tiger Morph he met at Spanish City that’s wearing a tiger onesie.
“I think it is the cleverness, fun and aspirational quality that has appealed to him. He would love a tiger onesie.”
Peter too has been impressed with what is the world’s first ever Morph art trail - created by Wild in Art and presented by North Tyneside Council and North of Tyne Combined Authority – and couldn’t wait to visit.
He told ChronicleLive: “I was desperate to come to North Tyneside to look at the trail. I had seen photos of the life-sized Morph models, but they are way more fantastic in the flesh. They are bright, vivid and alive. I love what all the artists have done with them.”
Each Morph character sculpture – which can be found dotted around Whitley Bay, North Shields, Wallsend, Killingworth, Forest Hall, Tynemouth and Cullercoats - has been individually designed, some by North East artists.
Morph has been entertaining young and old alike for 45 years since making his TV debut in 1977 on the BBC children’s art programme, Take Hart, alongside artist and presenter Tony Hart.
Since then the little fellow has also starred in Hartbeat, SMart, and has recently begun streaming on Sky Kids.
He also made a guest appearance in the cult BBC drama Ashes to Ashes in 2009 as a representation of a modern day medic.
As a result, Morph’s popularity crosses the generations.
Lucy and Paul Hull, who run the For the Love of the North art and gift shop at Spanish City, said it has been a pleasure seeing the enjoyment families have been getting from following Morph’s Epic Art Adventure.
Lucy said: “The Tiger Morph is opposite our shop and it’s been a joy to see the delight on people’s faces when they see the sculpture. I think it’s bringing people to the area who wouldn’t perhaps come, and it’s brought people into our shop.
“It’s also encouraging people to get out and about.”
Paul added: “What is lovely is that the trail is making art accessible for everybody. And it’s a multi-generational thing. I’m 46 and I remember Morph from his Tony Hart days, and it’s lovely seeing parents of my age introduce him to their children.
“Peter Lord popped into our shop and it was a huge thrill to meet not only him but Morph. Morph was perfect, doesn’t seem to have aged a day, and was just as you would imagine him.”
More than 30,000 visitors are estimated to have visited the trail, based on the number of maps and apps that have been downloaded to guide people around it.
The ’Morph’s Epic Art Adventure’ interactive app is available to download from the Android and Apple app stores.
Peter Lord said: “Morph has been making mischief and encouraging creativity in generations of kids since the seventies, and we hope the people of North Tyneside – young and old – are inspired to get creative and join Morph for an Epic Art Adventure.”
