Leigh984, The creative portfolio of Leigh Spencer

  Created by acclaimed artist Shiraaz Ali with Inspirate Shine Your Light is a large scale mural that has transformed Leicester`s Belgrave Road , celebrating Diwali Festival celebrations that are held along the famous Golden Mile each year, the mural features artwork depicting traditional symbolism and uses contemporary street art techniques, reflecting heritage and the areas modern identity. The mural captures the heritage of the Light-Switch On which first took place in 1983 over 40 years ago and features a mother and daughter representing the passing of the festival from one generation to another, Two tigers also feature to symbolise the community's strength, power and protection, the lotus flower symbolises resilience, growth and inner peace and the large 'Shine Your Light' is a reminder to people to share their unique gifts with the world.

My first visit to the Diwali Day celebrations in Leicester (one of the biggest of its kind outside of India) which take place along the Golden Mile famous for it`s Indian jewelry, Restaurants and shops. My film starts at the Limekiln lock where boats of all sizes and colors float below a firework filled sky. My film then takes us to the Golden Mile itself where the firework display crackles and sparkles above the watching crowd. the end of the film sees people making their way home after the display beneath the well known Happy Diwali archway at the top of Belgrave Road.