Shopping centre 'pop art' mural gets listed status

A "pop art" mural inside a shopping centre by Sir Eduardo Paolozzi has been given Grade II listed status.

The mural by the Scottish artist and sculptor was unveiled at Milward Square in Kingfisher shopping centre, Redditch in 1983.

Historic England (HE), which recommended the listing, praised the "exceptional quality, craftsmanship and survival" of the 12 mosaic panels, which feature a collage of images "symbolising the impact of Redditch's needle industry".

Paolozzi, who died in 2005, was a leading figure in the pop art movement and won the commission to produce the mural after centre bosses issued a brief on the work.

"The brief was to prepare a feature/artwork relating to the most significant industry base within Redditch, namely needles," HE said in its documents about its latest batch of listed-status recipients.

Funding for it came from Redditch Development Corporation, the Needles Industry Group and the Arts Council of Great Britain.

Paolozzi's most famous works include a set of mosaics on the walls of Tottenham Court Road Tube station in London.

The listed status for the Redditch mural means the structure is considered of special architectural or historic interest, and subject to more controls when it comes to making any proposed changes.

HE, whose role is to identify and protect the country's heritage, said Paolozzi's mural combines images "reflecting the region's industrial heritage, contemporary media, pop culture and technology with recognisable motifs from [his] oeuvre".

The C20 Society, a strong supporter for the listing of the mural, welcomed the move.

The charity, which campaigns to protect Britain's modern architecture and design, said on X it was "delighted" the Department of Culture Media and Sport had confirmed the listing.

"The designation makes them the first murals by the Scottish artist Sir Eduardo Paolozzi to be nationally listed, and only the second post-war shopping centre to be completely or partially listed, after Milton Keynes Shopping Building," it said.

Managers at Kingfisher were also pleased to see the recognition of the mural through its Grade II listing.

"The mosaics are a much-loved feature of Milward Square and form an important part of the centre's cultural identity and the town's heritage," a centre spokeswoman said.

"The artworks have been carefully conserved in recent years and remain an important public feature within the centre, enjoyed by visitors every day."

She added they were working with the borough council and other partners to ensure they were preserved for years to come.

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