Anthony Hollaway Mosaic

The Brandon Estate was designed by distinguished LCC architect Oliver Cox as part of the London County Council's scheme to regenerate “the decaying and lifeless south bank of the Thames” and is one of the best known post War London estates. In late 1962, a statue by Henry Moore was purchased by LCC and installed on the estate. This mosaic dates from 1961 and is by Antony Hollaway (1928 – 2000) who was Design Consultant to the LCC in the late 1950s - early 1960s and worked for the GLC until 1968. It was integral to the design of the estate and this youth centre. Antony Hollaway's MA dissertation noted “This particular mural presented special difficulties in that the cost restrictions was severe, circumstances only allowed for a three day fixing period and the hall was designed for indoor ball games as well as for other social purposes....an experimental method was evolved whereby broken tiles from this and other estates' normal tiling programme were utilised in conjunction with more exotic and specifically purchased glass mosaic. The design was based upon prehistoric remains (based on) the pre history of the site….” It was designed as “an intimate and friendly decoration…” “able to withstand very heavy use” and “be vandal resistant.” Antony Holloway is also known for his stained glass work, including in Manchester Cathedral.

The mural has been covered up with hardboard panels, with screws and rawl plugs drilled through the grout and ceramics. At some point the mural was the backdrop of a kitchen unit, showing holes for plumbing and waste. The silicone residue is still attached and the upper half of the mural is covered in blue paint. This is on flat glazed surfaces as well as on textured grout.

Restoration will include removal of boards and rawl plugs, silicone putty and other deposits. The blue painted surfaces will be stripped using a paint stripping putty and acetone. Screw holes, plumbing and waste holes will be filled and coloured with glass bubbles paste, or crystal plaster putty and colour-filled for an unnoticeable finish. Fills will be polished with glass paper and micromesh abrasive cloths once dried.