Primrose Hill Chilean refugees mural wins reprieve

Published: 15 July, 2010
by JOSIE HINTON

A ROW sparked by plans to paint over an historic mural in Primrose Hill looks set to have a happy ending. 

Grassroots green movement Transition Primrose Hill has agreed to abandon a bid to create its own mural in King Henry’s Road. 

The existing mural there was painted by Chilean refugees who fled to Camden following the brutal overthrow of their democratic government by a military coup in 1973.

The green group will now stand aside to allow residents to re-touch the original mural and put up a commemorative plaque explaining its history.

Meanwhile, Transition Primrose Hill is searching for another wall where it can paint its planned biodiversity mural, displaying images of wildlife from Primrose Hill park.

Xandra Bingley, a member of the green group, said: “It’s very nice that the story of the wall is moving on and has a silver lining. Now, as a result of our endeavours, residents will look for ways to honour the Chilean refugee wall painting story and have it commemorated with a plaque and information telling what is going on.

 “It is an important part of our community life and something to be proud of.”

Anna Locke, another member, said: “We have worked very hard for seven months on a voluntary basis and we are trying very hard to find a positive solution.”

Bee Thompson, who lives opposite the mural, said: “It would be wonderful if the original part of the mural could be reinstated and the part remaining could be restored with some kind of plaque to explain the history. But this is really a project for the future. 

“So far, all that has been agreed is that Transition Primrose Hill will re-paint the section of the wall that is now startling white a more subdued colour and that they won’t paint any more of the wall without consultation with residents.”