Oxford Station

John E Wright & Co Ltd are proud to support a major public facing installation as part of the Oxfordshire Connect programme, helping to bring to life the story of the Botley Road Bridge redevelopment and the rich heritage of West Oxford.

The artwork for this project was created by Chris Shipton, Director of Live Illustration, a studio specialising in real time, hand drawn visual storytelling. Commissioned by Network Rail, Chris was tasked with producing a series of illustrations that would communicate both the complexity of the ongoing engineering works and the historical significance of the surrounding area.

The artwork was designed to be displayed along the busy pedestrian walkway between Oxford Station and West Oxford, transforming a construction hoarding into a visually engaging public gallery while major works continue through to August 2026.

Our role was to deliver this vision from concept to completion, overseeing both the full production and on-site installation of the display.

Chris supplied 21 individual pieces of artwork, each of which was required to be reproduced at A0 size on a self-adhesive vinyl that could withstand the demands of an exposed outdoor environment, including weather, foot traffic and the risk of vandalism.

To ensure long term durability and secure adhesion to the existing hoarding boards, we specified our High-Tac WW300 series vinyl. This premium material offers exceptional grip on challenging surfaces, significantly reducing the risk of lifting or peeling and ensuring the graphics remain in place and looking sharp throughout the duration of the project.

All panels were produced on our Canon Colorado M-Series roll-fed UV printer. We selected UV-gel technology for its outstanding colour consistency, rapid curing times and superior resistance to abrasion and moisture. This combination allowed us to achieve a tight turnaround while maintaining excellent image quality across all 21 artworks. To further protect the prints, an anti-graffiti laminate was applied, helping to guard against vandalism and extend the lifespan of the installation in this high-footfall public location.

Each panel was precision-cut to A0 size, carefully rolled and securely packed for transport to site, enabling rapid deployment despite the compressed production schedule. Thanks to our in-house print, finishing and logistics teams working in close coordination, we were able to meet the demanding turnaround without compromising on quality or consistency across the full set of 21 panels. Installation took place on the morning of the site’s scheduled public opening, with a fixed completion deadline ahead of visits from Network Rail representatives, stakeholders and local media. A two-person installation team was deployed to maximise both speed and quality control. Panel positions were pre-planned using a detailed site map supplied by the client and verified on site with the artist, ensuring the artwork was installed in the correct sequence and perfectly aligned along the pedestrian walkway.

The installation was carried out using a dry-application method. One installer positioned and lightly tacked each panel into place, while the second removed the backing liner and applied the vinyl using professional squeegee tools. This controlled approach ensured even pressure across the surface, eliminated air bubbles and delivered clean, secure edge adhesion. The full installation was completed within the allocated timeframe and met all performance, safety and finish requirements.

“The team at John E Wright in Oxford have always been fantastic to work with. Their high quality prints, technical know-how and expert installation were a critical component to the success of my most recent project.” - Chris Shipton, Live Illustration Ltd

It was a pleasure for John E Wright & Co Ltd to be involved in such a meaningful project, and to see the immediate engagement and positive reaction from the public as the installation was unveiled. We take great pride in supporting projects within our local communities, using creative print and signage to bring stories, places and people to life.