Sunday, June 2, 2019

Monday Mural: England's Portobello Road Art Installation

Somehow, during our visit to London's Portobello Road last October, between the thick crowds, we managed to see what I thought was a remarkable mural. Well, maybe not a mural -- more like an art installation that covered a very long wall of the market.



The illustrations were by Fiona Hawthorne and commissioned as public art to celebrate 150 years of the Portobello and Golborne Markets.


Hawthorne captured the feel and energy of the market by sketching her subjects from life in July 2015. Her pen and expressive line-and-wash style captured the traders, vendors, shoppers, market stalls and life of the vibrant marketplace.


Some of the segments are long, black and white panels.


Others reflect the vibrant colors of the market.


I can visualize marketers listening to sidewalk music...


...or pushing their walkers through the crowds.


I have a little more trouble envisioning these two on their bicycle! I love the sketch but if I saw these two coming down Portobello Road on a busy Saturday I'd get out of their way -- assuming they could make it through the thick crowds on a bicycle!


So, while one may or may not call this a mural, I certainly do!


And it's a delightful one at that!

Sharing with: Monday Mural at Sami's Colourful World     

34 comments:

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Perhaps a mural, like many other things, is in the eye of the beholder.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

The illustrations are wonderful. I like the sketches of the market. Enjoy your day, have a great new week ahead.

DUTA said...

Superb work of art! I like all of Fiona Hawthorne's sketches displayed in your post.

Misadventures of Widowhood said...

What protects the drawings from the weather and people 'adding' their own markings on them?

Quick sketches are fun and the only way to really capture the energy of a place except with film.

Pamela said...

What fun! The image of the bicycle flying through the crowd makes me smile, but I'd get out of the way too!

Jennifer Richardson said...

Hello again, friend.
So good to see the world through your window again.
I love this - all pen!
Amazing how unique her expression.
Thanks for sharing you:)
-Jennifer

Valerie-Jael said...

Wonderful, happy and lively art. Thanks for sharing, hugs, Valerie

bobbie said...

Very cool! I'd call it mural, too.

My name is Erika. said...

That is a really interesting mural. I like it's uniqueness and her sketches too. It's amazing how such simple lines can tell us so much. Our brains are really fascinating, aren't they? I wonder though how they hold up in the weather? They must not be on paper. Happy June Jeanie. Hugs-Erika

Sandra said...

Delightful indeed.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Call it anything you like, but call it incredible, delightful, eclectic, full of energy, and colorful. What an absolutely amazing find.

Sami said...

That's a great wall of murals Jeanie. A fabulous variety of sketches of market life.

BeachGypsy said...

Glad you enjoyed the post about the old plantation, Jeanie!Not everyone loves the HISTORY, but you and I sure do, don't we?.... And I am enjoying this new post of yours......love those pen sketches, especially THE COLOR ONES!!

Christine @ Rustic-Refined said...

Wow, the Art is beautiful! It is evoking such a family and community vibe that I love so much.

thepaintedapron.com said...

Fun stuff, she really captures the energy with this wonderful style!
Jenna

Susie said...

Hi Jeanie, It's a beautiful mural. I loved it so many things to see about the market place. I pray you and your sweetie are doing well. I think of you often. Blessings to you both, your are in my prayers. xoxo, Susie

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

What wonderful art for all to see in this area. I love places like this! The colorful pieces and black and whites are quite unique. I do love these types of market spots that feature art as well as other works. A lovely way to celebrate 150 years!

Miss Val's Creations said...

These sketches are awesome! I have always had a fondness for the black ink sketches with bits of color in them. These are so perfect for the location.

krishna said...

Those are marvelous art works

Prims By The Water said...

What great artwork. Amazing artists out there. Janice

Iris Flavia said...

Those are really great works!
We went to the markets on Saturday and it really looked just like this, walkers included!
The bike though, wee, I could not do that! Once my Brother had me on his motorbike and went 200 km/h (124 miles an hour) and I nearly died being afraid to skip to the wrong side, my knee inches from the ground in a curve.
Apart from that memory - great murals :-)

Tanza Erlambang said...

beautiful images

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

Some people are so gifted to create a glimpse of life with just a few strokes. Lovely post to start my week!

Pam Richardson said...

Jeanie, this is a delightful mural with so much to enjoy and take in. I do love the colored sections. Once again, I love to look through your camera lens!

Arti said...

I was there at that market a couple of years ago. Had enjoyed walking through the market. Wish I had seen such an artistic display though. Lucky for you to have caught that. Beautiful post! Love the colorful fruits and veggies stand one. :)

The French Hutch said...

Would love to have seen this when I was there. Lively and authentic except the bike, no way! so interesting Jeanie.......

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Wow!! How interesting is that!! In the town where the Post Office is that Joe used to work out of , they have several murals painted on a few buildings depicting the history of the town and area...When I can walk better, I want to go and take a few photos of them for a blog post....Thanks for stopping by!!
Hugs,
Deb

Lidy@FrenchGardenHouse said...

I love this post!! Oh, the wonderful art that portrays the market so beautifully captures my imagination. I love seeing how a few well placed lines suddenly transform a page, and a few bold colors tell the whole story. Thanks so much for sharing this, I am going to come back and relish in these artworks again later.
xo Lidy

shoreacres said...

I love the bicycle built for two. In the places where they rent bicycles in Galveston, they always have a few of those for the adventurous, and it's great fun to see them whizzing down the road. Like some of the others, I'm amazed how just a few lines can capture so much life and spirit. Clearly, it's knowing where to put the lines that matters!

William Kendall said...

I like this one!

Marilyn Miller said...

Love the artwork!

Lynne said...

I found this delightful . . .
What a site to see in person!
Reminds me of Sketchbook Wandering . . .

Lisa's Yarns said...

These illustrations are so fun and whimsical! Thanks for sharing!!

Red Rose Alley said...

I really like your "Monday Mural" posts, Jeanie. You always come across something interesting and sometimes bazaar. ; )

~Sheri

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