Flower Power or Lost Heritage? What Do You Think of Blackburn’s Bold New Mural?

Introduction

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The new mural, Floral Timekeepers, by world-renowned artist Morag Myerscough, fills the car park wall with vibrant colours, giant flowers and positive energy – creating a sharp contrast with the powerful portrait that previously occupied the space.

Commissioned as part of this year’s National Festival of Making, the mural brings bold, botanical design to a corner of the town centre. But, as with any major change in public art, it has sparked debate — is this a bright new chapter for Blackburn’s streetscape, or a break from the powerful, thought-provoking work that came before?

The Story Behind the New Mural

Morag Myerscough, known for creating art for the likes of Coachella and the Paris Olympics, was paired with Crown Paints through the Art in Manufacturing programme. Crown, with its roots in Darwen stretching back nearly 250 years, helped select the mural’s striking palette of 49 vibrant colours, and even contributed some favourite flowers.

The mural, we’re told, was inspired by a visit to Corporation Park’s Victorian conservatory. Though now derelict and awaiting restoration, the conservatory and its famous clock once offered a glimpse of botanical beauty in the heart of industrial Blackburn.

Legend has it the glasshouse clock was installed so mill workers enjoying the flowers wouldn’t lose track of time during their lunch breaks. Whether much of that inspiration remains in the dilapidated conservatory is up for debate — but the mural certainly delivers a burst of life and colour to the town centre.

During the Festival weekend, the car park space was transformed into a temporary urban parklet, buzzing with bees, butterflies and visitors. While the plants have now moved to King William Street, the mural stays behind, adding year-round colour to the street.

Lauren Zawadzki, Co-Director of the Festival, said:
“We’re always thinking about how the Festival can have a meaningful impact outside of our Festival weekend and Morag Myerscough’s permanent mural is such a good example of that.”


But What Came Before?

Before the florals bloomed, this wall was home to a very different mural.

In 2018, Accrington-born street artist Dale Grimshaw painted a striking portrait inspired by the tribes of Papua New Guinea. Part of the Blackburn Open Walls project, Grimshaw’s mural brought global social themes and raw emotion to the town centre.

Whereas Floral Timekeepers fills the space with joy and colour, Grimshaw’s work was serious, powerful and reflective.



And Who Remembers Penny Street?

Long before either mural, Blackburn’s best-known public artwork stood on Penny Street, where a huge mural celebrated the town’s industrial heritage.

Covering the side of a building now replaced by the Job Centre, it featured cotton mills, trams and busy streets — a proud reflection of Blackburn’s working-class roots. It stood for years as a familiar landmark until it too made way for change.


Public Art in Blackburn – A Constantly Changing Canvas

From heritage pride, to global human stories, to bold bursts of colour, public art in Blackburn has shifted with the times.

But what should our murals say about us today? Should they celebrate where we’ve been, reflect on struggles beyond our borders, or brighten our streets with something completely new?


What Do You Think?

Do you love the new Floral Timekeepers mural?
Do you miss the striking portrait that came before it?
Or do you long for the days when Blackburn’s murals celebrated its industrial roots?

Share your thoughts and memories in the comments below.

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Jamie Holman
Jamie Holman
3 hours ago

There are still a range of murals doing all of these things across town – so this is misleading as it’s not an ‘either / or’ scenario. In addition, public murals have a life span due to weather, location, scale, architectural considerations of the wall/building that they are on and by their nature are temporary. It’s not useful to compare the penny street mural as it’s a different location and not current.

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