Mother of Invention

Mother of Invention is the silent narrator of the mural. Represented pushing a modern day 3-wheeled pram (in reference to development at Tricycle Theatre), she pervades time and race, representing the hopes and dreams of those who enter the big city, as well as the expectations of those who leave it seeking peace and tranquillity. Walking through landscapes both past, present and future, she rouses past memories and new beginnings.

Cats and Mice

In the 1930's you could see former Clown, Mr Jackman and his Mouse Circus performing in the streets of Kilburn. He regularly visited his sister in Tunbridge Wells to stock up on performers from her collection of 400 mice. From 1916, Kilburn was also home to Louis Wain, famous cat caricaturist who later went barking mad. Christmas without a Wain cartoon was said to be 'like a pudding with no currants'.

Leprechaun

Although there are many many different immigrant communities living in Kilburn today, here we have made specific reference to the large Irish community that contributed so much to the area for many years.

Iguana get outa this place...

The Iguana and lizards that have escaped in and from the boy's bedroom are a surreal reference to escape, and why people chose to escape from the big city they've often sacrificed so much to live in.

The State

Europe's largest cinema in 1937 when it opened its doors, The State, the main building of note on the Kilburn High Road and now bizarrely a Bingo Hall, was host to Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly , the Rolling Stones and The Beatles in the rock and roll heyday of the 60's.

WindmillA windmill was built (at Mill Lane) in 1793 but burned down 60 years later "looking like a Catherine Wheel spinning around in the darkness".

Jolly Jumbo

Although he would have many contenders today, 40 stone William Thomas Eccleston was then "the second fattest man in Europe" and the famous owner of the Canterbury Arms Pub at the turn of the century. A very jolly fellow and local celebrity, he needed a special pony and trap to move around in. Ironically as a young army man he introduced exercises so effective they became standard training and he later became a renown trainer of runners and boxers in the area. Jumbo gets two nods on the wall, one as a toy and the other as a statue of some stature.

H.G. Wells and The Time Machine

H.G. Wells worked as a science teacher in Kilburn in 1888. The author of such timeless novels as "The Time Machine," "War of the Worlds" and "The Invisible Man," together with George Orwell, gives Kilburn some real literary historical clout. Here he explains his theories of time travel to an incredulous young local, as his time machine makes a dramatic entrance behind him.

Animal Farm

George Orwell moved to Kilburn in 1942. Author of 'Animal Farm' and '1984' Orwell's literary work seems increasingly current as time goes on. George can be seen sleeping against a wall in Wall B, while his animals discuss important matters in the background.

Mother of Invention

Mother of Invention is the silent narrator of the mural. Represented pushing a modern day 3-wheeled pram (in reference to development at Tricycle Theatre), she pervades time and race, representing the hopes and dreams of those who enter the big city, as well as the expectations of those who leave it seeking peace and tranquillity. Walking through landscapes both past, present and future, she rouses past memories and new beginnings.

It wasn't until the first mainline railway in the world (from Euston to Birmingham) was built through Kilburn in 1837 that the area started to develop, and gave home to the first of London's commuting middle classes who enjoyed city jobs and then commuted to their village homes each night. Since then Kilburn has reflected the ripple effect of the city as generation after generation moves further and further out of London's centre, looking for a balanced life. Since then Kilburn has also reflected London's mix of working and middle classes living side by side, as well as the wave of immigrants from the Irish in the 1930's to the Jewish in World War 2 (and home of Zionist Israel Zangwill). Today Kilburn mirrors London's vast multiculturalism and hosts residents from Bangladesh to South America, with increasing gentrification as the city known as London continues to expand.

The Timeless CityThe city is represented as an old wise man, unconquered, still and watching over as millions come to London with hopes and dreams, and millions leave the city with new wisdom and expectations.

Roman Road

Kilburn High Road or the A5 together with the A2 make up the ancient Roman Road known as Watling Street. Dating back to the early centuries AD, this was one of the 4 key Roman roads in Britain, and formed the western-most boundary when the Dutch invaded England in the 800's. For many years the East (or Camden side) of Kilburn High Road (or Watling Street) was know as "Dane Law" while "Wessex Law" prevailed in the west (or Brent side). The Danish were eventually driven out of Britain in the 11th Century before the Battle of Hastings.

Dick Turpin

Kilburn really served as a thoroughfare village with simple buildings and a priory in the 1700's and what is now Shoot Up Hill was once a lot steeper and wooded, so posed difficult to pass through. The woods became Infamous for highway robbery which "kept the gentry away." The top of the hill was shaved off soon after to make the journey easier for horses and carts up the muddy slopes when it rained.

The Burn

Kilburn's name is debatable in origin but probably has something to do with the stream running parallel to Kingsgate Road that was known for it's tonic qualities in the 1700's.

Animal Farm

George Orwell moved to Kilburn in 1942. Author of 'Animal Farm' and '1984' Orwell's literary work seems increasingly current as time goes on. George can be seen sleeping against a wall in Wall B, while his animals discuss important matters in the background.

Jolly Jumbo

Although he would have many contenders today, 40 stone William Thomas Eccleston was then "the second fattest man in Europe" and the famous owner of the Canterbury Arms Pub at the turn of the century. A very jolly fellow and local celebrity, he needed a special pony and trap to move around in. Ironically as a young army man he introduced exercises so effective they became standard training and he later became a renown trainer of runners and boxers in the area. Jumbo gets two nods on the wall, one as a toy and the other as a statue of some stature.