Bright, uplifting graffiti featuring a distinctive chicken character, known as “Cluck,” has appeared throughout Birmingham city centre, including in Digbeth, Edgbaston, Kings Heath and Ladywood. These street artworks carry encouraging phrases such as “love yourself,” “be kind,” and “keep going,” sparking curiosity and smiles among locals.
The artist behind the iconic ‘cluck’ chicken has now opened up about the deeper meaning behind his work. Speaking anonymously via his Instagram account @cluck.uk, the 25-year-old creator revealed that Cluck is a personal symbol of positivity and resilience, born out of his own longstanding battle with mental health challenges.
“I’ve struggled with mental health my whole life,” the artist shared. “I feel like I was depressed from the age of eight or ten. I’ve only just recently come out of that dark place.”
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Starting about three years ago, he began painting Cluck accompanied by messages designed initially for his own encouragement, even if subconsciously at the time. “It was basically my subconscious,” he explained. “I was telling this to the world, but really, I was spraying it on the wall because I needed to listen to that.”
“I just want people to be happy. I know what it’s like living unhappy. I lived two-thirds of my life sad. I’m good now, but life has its balances, which go up and down.”
While continuing to paint Cluck around the city, the artist hopes that the positive messages will brighten the days of people who may be struggling. The impact has been clear: he has received numerous messages from people who found comfort and joy in spotting his work.
“I was spraying in Digbeth the other day and four people came by, saying they’d seen the chicken artwork for years and how happy that made them,” he said. “That’s got to be the reason I keep doing this. I’ll just be the ‘chicken man’ now.”
Although his artwork is placed in public spaces and may be viewed as graffiti, the artist views Cluck differently. “In the eyes of the law, they’d probably see it differently,” he acknowledged. “But if I stood in front of a judge and told him, I reckon he’d probably understand.”
Cluck’s design intentionally contrasts with traditional graffiti art to attract attention. “You look past normal graffiti because it’s just normal, but not when you see characters and things like that. Cluck is his own character. He comes in many forms. The message he shares is love, positivity, happiness, togetherness and community.”
Due to popular demand, the artist plans to release a limited series of Cluck prints for people to enjoy in their own homes. “Cluck is just the message bearer. The message is love, coming together and positivity because the world needs it right now.”