Adam Kossowski, 'History of Old Kent Road', 1964-1966, glazed terracotta, London, Peckham, photo Andrzej Pieńkos, 2013
License: CC BY-SA 4.0, Modified: yes, License terms and conditions
Photo showing \'History of Old Kent Road\' painting in London
Adam Kossowski, „Historia Old Kent Road”, 1964-1966, glazurowana terakota, Londyn, Peckham, photo Andrzej Pieńkos, 2013
License: CC BY-SA 4.0, License terms and conditions
Photo showing \'History of Old Kent Road\' painting in London
Adam Kossowski, „Historia Old Kent Road”, 1964-1966, glazurowana terakota, Londyn, Peckham, photo Andrzej Pieńkos, 2013
License: CC BY-SA 4.0, License terms and conditions
Photo showing \'History of Old Kent Road\' painting in London
Adam Kossowski, „Historia Old Kent Road”, 1964-1966, glazurowana terakota, Londyn, Peckham, photo Andrzej Pieńkos, 2013
License: CC BY-SA 4.0, License terms and conditions
Photo showing \'History of Old Kent Road\' painting in London
Adam Kossowski, „Historia Old Kent Road”, 1964-1966, glazurowana terakota, Londyn, Peckham, photo Andrzej Pieńkos, 2013
License: CC BY-SA 4.0, License terms and conditions
Photo showing \'History of Old Kent Road\' painting in London
Adam Kossowski, „Historia Old Kent Road”, 1964-1966, glazurowana terakota, Londyn, Peckham, photo Andrzej Pieńkos, 2013
License: CC BY-SA 4.0, License terms and conditions
Photo showing \'History of Old Kent Road\' painting in London
Adam Kossowski, „Historia Old Kent Road”, 1964-1966, glazurowana terakota, Londyn, Peckham, photo Andrzej Pieńkos, 2013
License: CC BY-SA 4.0, License terms and conditions
Photo showing \'History of Old Kent Road\' painting in London
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ID: POL-001378-P/135092

'History of Old Kent Road' painting in London

ID: POL-001378-P/135092

'History of Old Kent Road' painting in London

A panorama of the history of the area around the former road through Kent to London, from the time of the Romans to the present day. The three large ceramic walls, laid with around 2,000 tiles, show crowded historical scenes, genre details, unadorned with a touch of humour and in grotesque styling.

The building originally housed the North Peckham Civic Centre, which opened in November 1966, conceived as a centre for the regeneration of a neglected neighbourhood in London's southern suburbs. Its austere modernist architecture on the side of the main street and its block (Peckham Park Road) is decorated with a colourful history of England, told in the style of children's book illustrations. The whole could also resemble 'Florentine painting from the early Renaissance. (...) Kossowski consciously bases his concept on the fresco painting of Giotto and his pupils. Of course, Kossowski's compositions are a kind of modern stylisation of the art of the Florentine masters, but his works are permeated by the same almost naive simplicity of faith, the same mood of serenity and harmony" (A. Drwęska). Figures and buildings appear on several levels and on a differentiated scale, forming an uninterrupted narrative of the history of Roman and Christian Britain (with, for example, the pilgrimage to Canterbury, in which the writer G. Chaucer appears; with the peasant revolt of Jack Cade). The modern part of the story features, among others, King Charles II, returning from exile; the modern part features Victorian-era London, and, finally, aeroplanes and cars on contemporary streets, and a London policeman. Kossowski's assistant in his London studio, helping to execute the whole thing, was the painter Krystyna Henneberg. Kossowski's decorations are in good condition, cleaned, while the building itself, which has lost its original functions, remains in complete disrepair.

Related persons:

Time of construction:

1964-1966

Creator:

Adam Kossowski (malarz, rzeźbiarz; Polska, Wielka Brytania, USA)(preview)

Bibliography:

  • Adam Kossowski. Murals and Paintings, London 1990, s. 17, 54-55 (il.), 103, 116
  • A. Drwęska, Nowa ceramika Adama Kossowskiego, „Tydzień Polski”, 1966, nr 48, s. 3
  • T. Terlecki, Kossowski of Aylesford, w: tegoż: Szukanie równowagi, wyd. 2, Londyn 1988, s. 263
  • L.F. Pearson, Public Art since 1950, bm 2006, s. 11
  • Inwentarz Archiwum Adama Kossowskiego
  • J. W. Sienkiewicz, „Adama Kossowskiego podróż przez dwadzieścia stuleci historii Anglii”, cz. 1-3, „Tydzień Polski”, 2011, nr z 11, 17 i 24 lipca

Keywords:

Publication:

27.08.2023

Last updated:

02.07.2025

Author:

prof. Andrzej Pieńkos
see more Text translated automatically
 Photo showing \'History of Old Kent Road\' painting in London Gallery of the object +6
Adam Kossowski, 'History of Old Kent Road', 1964-1966, glazed terracotta, London, Peckham, photo Andrzej Pieńkos, 2013
Ceramic mural depicting historical scenes of Old Kent Road, London, with figures in period clothing, a policeman, and vintage vehicles, illustrating the area's evolution. Photo showing \'History of Old Kent Road\' painting in London Gallery of the object +6
Adam Kossowski, „Historia Old Kent Road”, 1964-1966, glazurowana terakota, Londyn, Peckham, photo Andrzej Pieńkos, 2013
Ceramic mural depicting historical scenes from Old Kent Road in London. Features two figures on horseback, surrounded by stylized plants and buildings, with a text panel above. Photo showing \'History of Old Kent Road\' painting in London Gallery of the object +6
Adam Kossowski, „Historia Old Kent Road”, 1964-1966, glazurowana terakota, Londyn, Peckham, photo Andrzej Pieńkos, 2013
Ceramic mural depicting a historical scene with a Roman soldier on horseback and three women in robes, one holding a basket and another a jug, set against a backdrop of stone and brick buildings. Photo showing \'History of Old Kent Road\' painting in London Gallery of the object +6
Adam Kossowski, „Historia Old Kent Road”, 1964-1966, glazurowana terakota, Londyn, Peckham, photo Andrzej Pieńkos, 2013
Ceramic mural depicting Roman history on Old Kent Road in London. Features Roman soldiers, architecture, and civilians in a stylized, humorous manner. Photo showing \'History of Old Kent Road\' painting in London Gallery of the object +6
Adam Kossowski, „Historia Old Kent Road”, 1964-1966, glazurowana terakota, Londyn, Peckham, photo Andrzej Pieńkos, 2013
Ceramic mural depicting historical scenes from Old Kent Road in London, featuring figures and buildings in a colorful, stylized manner. The artwork is located on the exterior wall of a modernist building. Photo showing \'History of Old Kent Road\' painting in London Gallery of the object +6
Adam Kossowski, „Historia Old Kent Road”, 1964-1966, glazurowana terakota, Londyn, Peckham, photo Andrzej Pieńkos, 2013
Detail of a ceramic wall from the 'History of Old Kent Road' in London, showing two butterflies on textured tiles with intricate patterns. The artwork combines historical scenes with decorative elements. Photo showing \'History of Old Kent Road\' painting in London Gallery of the object +6
Adam Kossowski, „Historia Old Kent Road”, 1964-1966, glazurowana terakota, Londyn, Peckham, photo Andrzej Pieńkos, 2013

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