David Speed’s Neon Goose Lands at Warwick
A radiant new mural has taken flight at the University of Warwick, a glowing tribute to one of campus life’s most familiar faces.
Titled Temporary Home, the large-scale neon artwork by acclaimed street artist David Speed transforms the University’s Piazza building into a vivid symbol of community, creativity, and connection.
Created during Warwick’s ‘Welcome Week’ (29 September – 3 October), the mural celebrates the University’s 60th anniversary through collaboration and light. Drawing inspiration from the campus’ greylag geese, beloved mascots and icons of student life, Speed reimagines the bird as a geometric, luminescent figure soaring across the façade.
“This mural is a true collaboration,” says Speed. “I spent over 60 hours on campus, connecting with faculty, students, and the wider community to understand what Warwick means to them. The geese felt like the perfect metaphor, social, migratory, always returning to a temporary home.”
Across his week-long residency, Speed immersed himself in campus culture, hosting masterclasses, lectures, and a live Creative Rebels podcast recording. Beyond the University, he collaborated with local schools, sparking dialogue around creativity and belonging across Coventry.
The final design, chosen by student and staff vote, merges two of Warwick’s defining emblems: the iconic greylag goose and the geometric form of the Faculty of Arts staircase. Together, they embody motion, ambition, and the architecture that frames campus life.
“Temporary Home brings colour, energy, and connection to the heart of campus,” adds Professor Jonothan Neelands, Academic Director of Cultural Partnerships. “It reminds us that Warwick is a place of welcome and creativity, a temporary home that leaves a lasting mark.”
Standing as both a luminous landmark and a symbol of community, Temporary Home captures what David Speed does best, turning light into story, and the everyday into something extraordinary.
Photos by University of Warwick.
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More on the University of Warwick
Founded in 1965, the University of Warwick is a world-leading institution known for its commitment to era-defining innovation across research and education. A connected ecosystem of staff, students, and alumni, the University fosters transformative learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and bold industry partnerships across state-of-the-art facilities in the UK and global satellite hubs. Here, spirited thinkers push boundaries, experiment, and challenge convention to create a better world.
More on David Speed
David Speed is a prominent London-based aerosol artist known for his signature neon pink artworks. Rising to prominence while painting the streets during the pandemic, he has become one of the most recognised creators in the UK’s contemporary art scene. Using the brightest pigments available, his work explores themes of identity, connection, and untold stories. David also hosts the #1 podcast Creative Rebels, which champions creativity through the voices of experts across the creative industries, and mentors young artists to help nurture the next generation of creators.
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