The Ladywell Society funded a striking mural by Barnie XYZ on the gates to the Ladywell Playtower site as a visual demonstration that the historic building continues to be valued and held in high regard by the local community.
The mural is one of three commissioned by Brockley Max to create striking public artworks across Brockley, Ladywell and central Lewisham. They will feature in the Mural Trail, part of the community festival’s 25th anniversary celebrations.
The mural takes Ladywell Playtower as both its focal point and its backdrop – a historic gothic building that has gone from public bathhouse to gym, and now awaits a viable future.
Barnie says the design responds to this in-between state, symbolising growth and community resilience as well as celebrating its history as a place of public wellbeing and gathering.
“I sketched the Japanese aralia shown in the design in Ladywell Fields near the railway fence.
“These plants are self seeded and hardy and thrive in over- looked places, much like the Playtower that has persisted through use, misuse and community advocacy.”
The aralia is a metaphor for endurance and regeneration here.
Barnie also added some details from the Playtower’s architecture – the long curved gothic windows and detailing that flows around the top curve of the iconic circular tower.
The surrounding area – Ladywell Fields and the Ravensbourne River – continues this sense of continuity between nature, community space, and historic architecture.
The mural will reflect the community’s ongoing care and attention, celebrating local efforts to protect and reimagine the site for the future.
Comments from the local community so far include:
“Beautiful and joyful”
“Stunning colours.”
“What a beautiful design.”
“Bright and cheerful’.
“Excellent, love it.”
Barnie has lived in Lewisham for 12 years and has been involved in community initiatives both through art and living.
” I have created murals in places like Lewisham Shopping Centre, the Albany Theatre, Hatcham, St Dun-
stans College, and studied at the London School of Muralism.”
Ladywell Society funds Brockley Max mural on Playtower gates
The Ladywell Society ,which has been championing Ladywell since 1984, is showing two films – Memories iof Ladywell Baths and The Wonderful Mr Pink – as part of Brockley Max, the community arts festival.
The screening will be heldi n St Mary’s Church Ladywell from 7pm until 9pm on Saturday June 6.
The society is also funding a mural on the gates of the Playtower as part of its campaign to secure the future of the Grade II listed former swimming baths.
The mural will feature in the Brockley Max mural trail and comes after the society organised a clean up of the Playtower grounds and several public events on saving the Playtower.
The society is raising funding via Donor Box to meet the costs of the mural and future events aimed at bringing the local communtiy together.
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