Smug’s massive portrait on the Green is brought to life in the mirror mural created by RGU students. Image - Lisa Bruce, Aberdeen Inspired Student Placement
Inspired by an iconic moment in The Traitors – the BBC’s smash reality series - three city students have recreated some of Nuart Aberdeen’s iconic murals.
Working with family and friends, the trio have created their own real-life versions of 10 of the stunning works, such as Smug’s massive portrait on the Green, the much-loved Super Scurry by Conzo Throb and Ciaran Glöbel at Country Ways, and even the girl with a unicorn, the towering piece by Hera on the side of Union Point.
And now they are encouraging people to create their own “mural mirrors” ahead of Nuart Aberdeen returning next week – and there’s even a prize up for grabs.
The third-year students from Robert Gordon University – Lisa Bruce, Keira O’Brien and Luke Chalmers – are on placement with Aberdeen Inspired to promote a variety of the Business Improvement District’s projects, including Nuart Aberdeen which will run from Wednesday, April 22, to Sunday, April 26.
They came up with the idea of riffing on a challenge in the most recent series of The Traitors where contestants – including winners Rachel Duffy and Stephen Libby – had to recreate famous artworks. It was a water-cooler TV moment and one of the highlights of the series.
He's awa' we yer chips, mirror mural style. Image - Aberdeen Inspired
Lisa, a digital marketing student, said: “We were tasked with coming up with ideas for promoting Nuart Aberdeen and in a bit of a lightbulb moment decided that The Traitors art challenge would be a fun thing to do with some of these brilliant murals.
“We hope it will make people see the murals in a new light – and also encourage them to come along and enjoy the new works being created.”
Luke, a digital marketing student, said: “The big challenge was getting the look and feel of the murals just right when we created our own version, but we have to say thanks to all our friends and family who have helped out.
“I had fun with it, too, when I dressed as a seagull to recreate the Super Scurry. It created a bit of a stir with lots of people taking photos and videos. I was even asked to pose with passers-by.”
Keira, who is studying fashion management, said: “We hope people will really enjoy seeing our own interpretation of these much-loved murals. But we also hope it will inspire people to have a go at recreating their own versions.
“Above all else, we hope that we have met the brief of creating a bit of extra buzz and excitement as Nuart Aberdeen bursts back into life.”
Mural Mirrors Challenge
As an incentive for people to create their own “mural mirrors” a £100 gift card is being offered for one to be chosen at random by Aberdeen Inspired, which stages Nuart Aberdeen in partnership with Aberdeen City Council, supported by Finnies.
Kate Timperley, Aberdeen Inspired’s project manager for Nuart Aberdeen, said: “Lisa, Keira and Luke’s idea of the ‘mural mirror’ is just genius and the whole team here has really enjoyed seeing their passion and innovation.
“We have loved seeing the end result, too, and we hope people will think the images are as brilliant as we do. We also hope they will go out and join in the fun by taking and posting their own ‘mural mirrors’.”
Dominique Dawson, Director of Finnies, said: "Nuart Aberdeen is a celebration of creativity and this work by Lisa, Luke and Keira is not only creative, but also just great fun. I'm sure people will love seeing what they have done, and hopefully have a go themselves.
"It is also an imaginative way to encourage people to come into the city centre to discover the stunning Nuart Aberdeen artworks - old and new - and also reintroduce themselves to some forgotten but amazing corners of Aberdeen, while getting a fresh perspective of our city."
The RGU students behind the "genius" idea of the mirror murals are, from left Luke Chalmers, Lisa Bruce, and Keira O'Brien. Image - Aberdeen Inspired
If you want to join the Mural Mirror fun, recreate your mural then post it on Instagram tagging @abdninspired before Nuart Aberdeen ends on Sunday, April 26. We will then choose one at random to scoop the £100 Aberdeen Gift Card.
Aberdeen Inspired will be posting the mirror mural images on their socials every day. So stay tuned.
Nuart Aberdeen 2026 will see 13 acclaimed artists transforming walls and spaces across Aberdeen from Chapel Street Car Park to the Ibis Hotel.
It will officially open on Wednesday, April 22, at 8pm at Bon Accord Baths with the unveiling of Robert Montgomery’s signature illuminated work. Free to all.
You can find out more about Nuart Aberdeen at the Aberdeen Inspired website.