London Northwestern Railway (LNR) has partnered with Birmingham artist Joshua Billingham, professionally known as Gent 48, to create a striking new mural in Digbeth, bringing together public art and sustainable travel in a collaboration that celebrates the city's renowned creative culture.

Created as part of LNRs latest campaign, the mural has been designed to feel like an authentic addition to Digbeth's celebrated street art scene. The artwork uses graffiti's bold visual storytelling to encourage people to think differently about travelling between Birmingham and London.

Digbeth was chosen as the location because of its reputation as Birmingham's creative heart. Home to internationally recognised street art, independent businesses, and a thriving creative community, it provided the ideal setting for a project that champions both local artistic talent and new ways of engaging the public.

The artwork contrasts the calm, comfortable experience of travelling on one of LNRs new Class 730 trains with the congestion and noise often associated with travelling by road. Integrated naturally into the mural is a QR code inviting people to ‘Scan for Smarter Travel’, allowing visitors to interact with the artwork while accessing a limited time offer of 50% off rail travel to London as part of the wider campaign.

For Gent 48, the collaboration was an opportunity to demonstrate how brands can work authentically with local artists while respecting the culture and identity of the places they inhabit.

Joshua Billingham has spent more than 25 years developing a practice spanning graffiti, illustration and large-scale mural painting. Known for combining expressive characters, bold line work and vibrant colour, his work explores the relationship between street culture, contemporary art and visual storytelling. His murals and illustrations have been commissioned and exhibited across the UK and internationally while remaining firmly rooted in Birmingham's graffiti scene.

The mural is now on display in Digbeth, inviting residents and visitors alike to experience one of Birmingham's most vibrant cultural neighbourhoods, interact with the artwork and discover smarter travel.