One year after unveiling a mural celebrating the 400th anniversary of famed Shakespearean actor Richard Burbage, Network Rail has partnered with community groups and Dulwich Sports Club to celebrate sports past and present.
Historic railway bridges across South London have been transformed into stunning pieces of art thanks to Network Rail’s unique partnership with community groups, schools, artists and Lionel Stanhope, a street artist renowned for his vintage typography work.
The mural on Burbage Road, Dulwich is a creative piece of work and an inspiring celebration of sports played on the road and referencing, cricket, croquet, squash, tennis and hockey – the five clubs who have their home today in Dulwich Sports Club.
An added bonus was that the mural was painted as part of the virtual Dulwich Festival Artists’ Open House, an opportunity for community engagement and education and the promotion of the road’s sports facilities.
Local artist Katrina Russell-Adams produced a detailed sketch which Lionel worked up to the large-scale design and the mural includes references to this illustrious past by using colours from the Velodrome logo. The colours of Dulwich Hamlet Football Club are also included and can be seen in the rear bike wheel.
Katrina said: “I’m an abstract artist and local too so this was perfect for me. Lionel’s done a fantastic job and it’s lovely to see it on such a large scale and nice and bright under this bridge.”
Lionel Stanhope said: “It’s always good to work with Network Rail on these murals, they’re so big and make such a massive difference to the places I’m working in. I get such great feedback from people when I’m painting them, just people walking past. “
Eddie Burton, community engagement manager at Network Rail said: “I’m delighted that one year later, we can return to Dulwich and celebrate the rich sporting history in the area. I hope locals will enjoy this artwork and I’d like to thank all the community groups involved for their help.”
Cycling and athletics are also important to the area; the Herne Hill Velodrome (one of the oldest in the world), hosted track cycling events in the 1948 Summer Olympics and was briefly the home of Crystal Palace Football Club during World War I.
(Source: Network Rail)
