Hera's 12-Floor-Tall Love Letter to Aberdeen

By inspiringcity on June 30, 2024

Frankfurt-born German-Pakistani painter Hera (Jasmin Siddiqui) returned to Nuart Aberdeen after 7 years. Her latest impressive 12-floor-tall love letter to Aberdeen is on Union Point and can be seen for miles around. The mural references Scotland's national animal, the unicorn and sharing continues to be one of Hera's core values.

I Am the Keeper of Magic...

Writing on the mural says "I Am the Keeper of Magic... But I'm Happy to Share". The girl is holding the unicorn close. Protecting the animal and the magic within. The metaphor is that this is Scotland. A magical place but with gifts to share into the world.

Hera mural in Aberdeen. Photo by Hannah Judah

Living Heritage

Hera talked with NYC based culture critic Carlo McCormick on the opening night of the Nuart Aberdeen festival. Discussing the idea of street art as Living Heritage which was the theme of this year's event. She explored how that is relevant to her as an artist.

Carlo McCormick and Hera at the opening of Nuart Plus in Aberdeen. Photo by Brian Tallman

Old Market Mural

An iconic mural, painted on the old market with Akut Herakut in 2017, was demolished in 2022. Hera made the point that although she was really sad when she learned of the building's demolishment; she is constantly travelling and painting new works. Therefore Living Heritage is very much a constant cycle within the street art genre.

Herakut mural on the old market (now demolished). Photo by Inspiring City

Living on

Hera also made the point that past murals live on in people's memories. I felt honoured to have seen and documented Herakut's Aberdeen Market mural. It absolutely lives on in my mind. I'm sure is the case with Aberdonians and former festival attendees.

I am the Keeper of Magic. Photo by Hannah Judah

Union Point

Painting high above the city on Union Point. Hera's freehand creation on what was an incredibly rough canvas led her to discover the joys of windburn. She spoke too of having to deal with the traumatic sound of sheep crying as they were transported through the harbour in livestock lorries. I personally don't know how I would have coped with that.

The mural is painted on a 12 floor high building called Union Point. Photo by Hannah Judah

Collaboration

Mentioning collaboration Hera also talked about how she loves to work with other artists. Creating a bonus mural with Scottish legend KMG. I was lucky enough to be shepherded there (apologies for the sheep reference) by my buddy Street Art Cities who didn't waste any time in hunting it down. That work, a cheeky little mural hidden away in an old style bus stop, showing a girl painting one of KMG's characters.

KMG & Hera in an old Aberdonian bus stop. Photo by Inspiring City

Hannah Judah is an English street art photographer and author. She travels extensively across the UK and internationally documenting street art. This post is an adaptation of a post originally written on instagram. Hera is a German street artist and this is the second time she has painted in Aberdeen. Both were visiting the city for the Nuart Street Art Festival in 2024.