I recently had the opportunity to help paint and supervise the installation of one of the murals in the Jeremy Deller show ‘English Magic’ at the Turner Contemporary gallery in Margate (pictured above).

A very tight deadline ( two weeks) and a great group of collaborators produced this image of the offshore tax haven of St Helier Jersey on fire after a fictitious riot. The mural occupied two walls 18 feet high. Many thanks to the skilful team,  Joseph, Mandy, Jo, Matt, Raliat, Stacy, Kelly, Lucy, Greg and Dan, not forgetting Andy. The mural was designed by Stuart Sam Hughes and had previously been painted in Venice at the Biennale, The William Morris Gallery, and Bristol. Margate was the last Venue. The British Council commissioned the show.

The overall political message of the show is quite loaded so it’s refreshing that an institution like Turner would show it. Reaction has been positive.

 

 

 

 

In progress. After projecting and tracing Stuart’s design on the wall this is day seven.

Day ten.

 

This is Sarah Tynan’s Hawk with it’s four wheel prey. The image below shows the mural in progress.

 

 

 

This wonderful image was created by Stuart Sam Hughes. It shows William Morris as a giant throwing a ‘super yacht’ (belonging to Roman Abramovich) into the Venice Lagoon. Jeremy had visited Venice for the previous Biennale and was annoyed that Roman had parked his yacht thus obscuring the view. So take that you naughty Oligarch!

All the murals in this show were painted four times over in total. Stuart has a background in illustration and it is reminiscent of magazine editorial images that are less prevalent now. Temporary murals are becoming popular in institutions and this was the first time I’ve been involved in such a project.

 

 

This Banner greets you at the entrance of the exhibition. All the banners in the show were made by Ed Hall who has made many Trade Union Banners. Ed has collaborated with Jeremy for many years, as has Stuart.

 

Yeah.

 

Master discs of the recording of the Melodians Steel Orchestra who provide some wonderful interpretations of David Bowie’s ‘The Man Who Sold The World’ and Vaughan Williams

 

 

Neolithic Hand-Axes and arrowheads found along the Thames were also on display. Also in the mixed display are Soviet Bonds, William Morris textile blocks and tiles, William Turner watercolours, Prison inmate/war veteran drawings and John Ruskin drawings. A squashed four- wheel drive to sit on whilst watching a mesmerising Hi-Definition slow motion film of birds of prey adds to the Subtle spell of this show. A very timely and prescient statement.