A unique piece of postwar art, which faced the possibility of demolition alongside the south London building it occupied, has been preserved.
The artwork, a mural by William Mitchell, was originally created for a community center in Blackheath that is slated for demolition to accommodate social housing developments. The mural will be saved by the Heritage of London Trust (Holt).
Completed in 1958, this mural is considered one of the best-preserved examples of Mitchell’s early creations still in its original location. It consists of 13 custom panels that Mitchell expertly carved and filled with resin.
Holt plans to transfer the mural to a primary school within the Brooklands Park estate, where the community center is located.
Nicola Stacey, director of Holt, commented, “The school is within the same estate and dates from the same era, making it the perfect new home. We are eager for it to be highly visible, and being in a school means that children will experience it daily. It will be truly special.”
Brooklands Park is regarded as a prime model of aspirational postwar housing, featuring ample green spaces and thoughtful architectural design. The Twentieth Century Society, a heritage preservation group, has supported local resistance against the demolition of the village hall and made efforts in 2022 to have the mural officially listed by Historic England, a move that was ultimately unsuccessful.
Architect and artist Edmund Hall, known for creating banners, including…
—-
Author : [email protected]
Publish date : 2025-04-08 13:36:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.