Brutalist murals under flyover win listed status
Government heeds call for protection of modern public art
ASTRIKING group of geometric concrete murals under a Birmingham flyover which were created to encourage people to climb have finally won listed status.
The three banked mural walls in the pedestrian concourse of Hockley flyover underpass feature geometric shapes and abstract patterns.
The murals, designed by sculptor William Mitchell, reflect a movement in the mid-20th century when public art was often commissioned to enhance utilitarian structures.
This happened at a time of significant development in road infrastructure and they were unveiled with the flyover’s completion in 1968.
Mitchell, who died in 2020 aged 94, had described Hockley flyover as “one of the greatest things that ever happened in this country because it was the first of its kind and certainly of its scale”.
The murals have now been given grade II listing by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on the advice of Historic England.
Louise Brennan, Midlands regional director, Historic England, said: “The murals at Hockley Circus are among the best examples of William Mitchell’s work and showcase his playful and lively style to great effect.
“They have fulfilled their aim to elevate an otherwise utilitarian structure and encourage interaction with the urban environment. We are delighted that they have been listed at grade II.”
Two artworks in Stevenage have also been given grade II listed status.
Heritage Minister Nigel Huddleston said: “These three iconic public artworks are seen and enjoyed by thousands of people every day, bringing the arts to everyone.
“It is fantastic that these works have been listed in recognition of the important contribution they make to their local area and to protect them for the future.”
The murals have long been the subject of a campaign by local conservation group Brutiful Birmingham, which campaigns for the preservation of the best post-war architecture in the Second City.
Spokeswoman Mary Keating said: “We are delighted that the Hockley Murals have been recognised for the amazing design by William Mitchell.
“In 2019 we teamed up with the University of Birmingham Mountaineering Club and they demonstrated how the walls could be climbed and this kicked off the campaign to get the murals listed.
“The Hockley murals join a number of other Midland art works by William Mitchell to be Grade II listed.
“More recently the retaining walls on the ring road in Kidderminster were listed as was the Three Tuns Pub in Coventry.”