Back in 1983, the local residents group, covering the Mauleverer road area, decided to have a mural painted on the graffitied wall of the old Tuborg factory, a place which had been used to stable horses who would work delivering lager to the people of Brixton.
The residents group, having located funds of £7,000 from the Inner City Partnership, approached Jane Gifford, an established mural artist, to create a design. With the assistance of Mick Harrison, Caroline Thorp, Ruth Blench and students from Chelsea School of Art, they canvassed the local community asking what they would like to see on the wall. The locals wanted a visual escape from their environment so the finished mural was a collage of four themes.
The mural begins with a large forest based on photographs Jane Gifford had taken of the New Forest. The trees lead into parkland with a walled garden based on Brockwell Park. In between these two contrasting landscapes is a band stand, based on one long gone from Brockwell Park, with a large image of the Caribbean, as requested by the resident that looks out onto that section. There is also a Punch and Judy show which also serves as a plaque for the mural. On it is written the mural’s name, date and artists. Beyond the walled garden are two stable doors with two horses which reflect the previous use of the building.
The painting was began in the summer of 1983 and took 4 months to complete being finished by late November. The artists used gloss and varnish and protected it in Weathershield which is perhaps why it is in a fairly good condition today. Although faded with some signs of damage from water, its relaxing countryside scene make a lovely addition to what could have remained a graffitied wall.
This mural is in OK condition