It’s wall over
Kevin completes latest mural at Lady Lane
Artist Kevin Cantwell has completed the next mural in the Paisley First Walls Series at Lady Lane.
This stunning work incorporates a tree with roots, the Paisley pattern and butterflies – all signifying birth and roots and re-birth – as well as a small marker to the slug in the bottle court case.
David Eagle, regional operations manager for Co-op Funeralcare who own the mural wall, said: “We were delighted when our funeral home was identified as the next location for a mural and it’s been great to be involved with such an inspiring community project. The mural truly represents the roots of Paisley and we hope the residents are as delighted with it as we are.’’
The slug in the bottle legal case stemmed from May Donoghue bringing – in 1929 – a claim for damages against David Stevenson after she found a rotting snail in a bottle of ginger beer made by him.
She had gone to the Wellmeadow Café, in Paisley’s West End, with a friend who bought the drink.
After drinking some of the ginger beer, Mrs Donoghue topped up her glass with what was left in the bottle and a stinking, decomposing snail fell into her glass.
The resulting legal case set out the principle of the law of negligence. Paisley First Chairman, Ian Henderson, said: “Kevin is a well-known artist in Paisley whose commissions are always popular thanks to the level of detail in his work, and the same rings true at Lady Lane. It really is beautiful.
“We were delighted to be able to bring a mural to Lady Lane.
“It’s really important that the benefit of these murals is spread throughout the whole town centre.”
Kevin, from Paisley, is thrilled with the results.
He said: “It’s been fantastic to see the murals appear.
“They really do add to the vibrancy of the town.”
The Paisley First Walls Series is part-funded with a grant through Renfrewshire’s Culture, Heritage and Events Fund.
Jean Cameron, project director of Paisley’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2021, said: “We are delighted to be working with Paisley First to create these stunning murals through the Culture, Heritage and Events Fund.
“One of the key aims of Paisley’s bid to be UK City of Culture 2021 is to showcase the creative talent within the town and highlight Paisley’s unique story to residents and visitors alike.
“The latest mural at Lady Lane by popular local artist Kevin Cantwell does just that.”
This is the fourth mural in the Paisley First Walls Series with the town’s Johnston Street, Storie Street and Lawn Street already boasting artworks.