This powerful new mural by Ster Upc in Southend-on-Sea is more than just a visual landmark, it's a deeply personal tribute to the strength and importance of women, created as an inspiration for the artist’s own daughter.

Towering over the street, the mural depicts a modern-day Britannia, drawing from traditional oil painting techniques, Roman attire, and classical British iconography.

At the heart of the piece lies a beautiful hidden detail: the emblem on her belt was designed by Ster’s daughter when she was just five years old. Though small, it carries immense weight — a personal symbol of legacy and a message passed down from one generation to the next.

“I created this mural to inspire my daughter and to show her how strong, powerful, and important women are,” Ster explains. “It’s a message to the next generation and a reminder that strength, grace, and legacy belong in public view.”

The mural also pays tribute to another woman in Ster’s life, his wife Claire, whose unwavering strength and support helped make this piece possible.

Located in the heart of Southend, this mural transforms the wall into a celebration of female empowerment, family, and enduring love.

Unfortunately this beautiful has been appropriated in online discussions by right-wing commentators and nationalist groups, who interpret the artwork as a visual endorsement of their ideology. They’ve shared the image widely on social media, framing it as a “return to traditional British values” or even as a symbol of nationalistic strength, detached entirely from the artist’s original intention.

Ster Upc has remained clear in statements that the mural is not political, but deeply personal, rooted in love and admiration for the women in his life. The figure may echo traditional British iconography, but it's used in a humanistic, contemporary, and emotionally resonant way, not to reinforce nationalist ideology.