September Unveiling For New Southwark Mural

By Londonist_Laura Last edited 211 months ago
September Unveiling For New Southwark Mural
ian-davenport-270.jpg

September 6th will see the installation of a huge new permanent art piece in Southwark.

The 48 metre x 3 metre "vandal-proof" mural, created by Turner prize nominee Ian Davenport, will be positioned under Western railway bridge near Blackfriar's Road, making a bright splash in an otherwise grey area.

The artist had to have the panels made up in a German factory as it was "the only place in the world that could supply the especially devised graffiti-proof vitreous enamel paints in the industrial quantities required".

"It has certainly been a very tough commission," Davenport says, relaxing in his studio a few weeks before the official unveiling next month. "The amount of paint needed was phenomenal. And a public artwork is very different from a private one.

"It's been about a year and a half getting all the consents. We had to do endless tests. There's a one in a billion chance someone might fall over because they don't like the colour yellow, and other ridiculous considerations."

With a staggering 1.2 million people apparently travelling under the bridge every day, we can only hope the falling over is kept to a minimum.

'Poured Lines' is unveiled on September 6; an exhibition of prints associated with the project will be on show at the Alan Cristea Gallery, 31 Cork St, London W1S (020 7439 1866) from September 13

Last Updated 21 August 2006