Top ten London murals
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By Matt Brown
Posted: Wed Jul 5 2006 
8. Stockwell mural
Deep-level shelter walls on traffic island next to Stockwell tube, SW8
A potted history of Stockwell, again designed by Brian Barnes (1998). From famous residents such as Vincent van Gogh and, erm, Roger Moore, to the local war dead whose sacrificed lives are symbolised by hundreds of poppies. A portrait of Jean Charles de Menezes was recently added by Barnes, but later nixed by Lambeth Council.
Rating 8/10. The never-opened tube station makes an unusual canvas for this colourful memorial. Feature continuesAdvertisement
9. Battersea in perspective
Corner of Dagnall Road and Culvert Street, SW11
Another Barnes stormer (painted in 1988). This time, Battersea comes under his scrutiny, from an aerial perspective. The lofty view is well chosen – the plaque reveals just how many distinguished aviators came from the area.
Rating 8/10. Google Earth…but on a wall.
10. Westbourne Park mural
Junction of Fermoy Road and Great Western Road, W9
Now here’s something a little different. This pint-sized mural offers a distorted, Holbein-esque reflection of the Great Western Road. A crowd of catoonish people wait at a bus stop as traffic moves away on the wrong side of the road (this being a mirror image).Yet, on the far left, the number 23 is not reversed. Stop screwing with our heads!
Rating 7/10. Marvellous idea; less than perfect execution.Do you have a favourite mural that we’ve missed? And which is London’s worst mural? Email your suggestions to bigsmoke@timeout.com
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6 comments
I argee with Steve, Ray Walker's peace memorial in Dalston Lane is a cut above the rest for its brushstroke quality and definition which is echoed in the one mural you've commented on, and that he also was brought in to work on, the Cable Street mural
north of St George-in-the-East burial ground
I'm glad to see Alex Martinez's Westbourne Park mural made it on your list. We just visited his NY2NY graffiti exhibition at 6 Neal's Yard Gallery and it's really something I'd recommend, on till the 3rd of June 2007.
My other favourite is the Kilburn wall, wow!
What about Ray Walker's peace memorial in Dalston Lane, its better than all of these.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevemonty/71439275/
A mural which I think should included in this list is the one in Dalston. It shows a street carnival with people of mixed backgrounds. And everyone seems to be having a good time. It makes me feel happy and hopeful.
A brilliant idea! A lovely way to slow people down and reflect on the past.
Best,
Anne Grady
I enjoyed your feature on London murals - I have noticed that as well as murals there are a lot of faded old adverts on the sides of buildings from 50 or more years ago. It would be great if some of these could be restored before they fade for ever! Perhaps Time Out could do a feature / campaign on this issue.
Regards
Victoria Walsh