Painting of the Binty Chicken on underpass pillar in Northampton
Local artist Binty Bint first began to spray paint brightly coloured chickens, giraffes, and bees on Northamptonshire’s walls, garage doors and sheds in the early 2010s. Often called Northamptonshire’s own Banksy the bold and vibrant images created by the anonymous artist have become a familiar site across the county and beyond.
Binty became a full-time artist in 2019 when the pub they were working in closed down. Wanting to create something that children would be happy to see, Binty has stated that their inspiration is to just put something out there – something hopeful and happy. The Binty Chickens have no hidden message or meaning, instead Binty is interested to hear what other people make of them – ‘after all that’s what art is meant to do, to provoke thought’.
Inspiring joy and provoking thought is certainly what the Binty Chickens do. When the Binty Chicken was chosen as the 100th object for the A History of Northamptonshire in 100 Objects exhibition voters were quick to share what the Binty Chicken meant to them – ‘Walking round Northampton, down by the canal and river and spotting Binty Chicks makes the walk extra special - this is home, this is Northamptonshire.’
Number 100 of the objects selected for the A History of Northamptonshire in 100 Objects exhibition 2025.
Maquette (preliminary model) for Madonna and Child statue at St Matthews Church, Northampton. It was commissioned from the now-famous sculptor Henry Moore.
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