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 those for his longtime collaborator Jeremy Deller, participated in the campaign to preserve the mural. He expressed satisfaction with its retention, while also lamenting the loss of its original location.
“While there is some local relief in knowing the mural is ‘saved,’ it still feels somewhat akin to demolishing the Sistine Chapel and salvaging the Last Judgment,” he stated.
Mitchell’s works have faced threats repeatedly in recent years, but due to the efforts of the Twentieth Century Society, 15 of his pieces have been added to the national register, solidifying his status as “one of the most recognized and respected muralists of the era,” according to the organization.
Additionally, he was responsible for the facade of Liverpool’s Metropolitan Cathedral, and April 30 will mark what would have been his 100th birthday.
Mitchell trained at the Royal College of Art and worked as a design consultant for the Greater London Council. During his career, he created approximately 100 art pieces across the capital, many designed to enhance the postwar housing estates.
Holt is also restoring two other Mitchell murals located in Lewisham housing blocks. Stacey highlighted that contemporary developers should draw inspiration from the postwar period when Mitchell was active, advocating for the integration of art into new projects, ideally commissioning local artists for these creations.
“The period during which Mitchell’s work flourished was filled with idealism and inspiration. Today’s developers constructing residential buildings should make art a central part of their projects, commissioning emerging talents rather than treating it as an afterthought.”
“The legacy of artists like Mitchell demonstrates that such works not only benefit the surrounding communities but also foster a sense of pride.”
