A massive and joyful 26.5 x 14.2-meter mural is to appear on the side of the NINE storey building at JW3 in NW3 for all to see from early July! Enjoy the colourful and vibrant world of London Jews full of literally 100s of people, places and things. Just about all of London’s liveliest Jewish stories are there; including a lot of big, bold and large surprises! The giant mural will be unveiled early July 2024 (full details TBC).
JW3 commissioned the artist Leon Fenster to create his vision of Jewish London through his unique artwork, characatures and wit. With over 150 faces from fiction to legends, historical to business and locals: with a smattering of kosher butchers, bakers and tailors; a young Nicholas Winton directing Kindertransport trains; Freud; three great agony aunts: Margorie Proops, Claire Rayner and Irma Kurtz answering sack loads of letters; celebrating at Benjamin Disraeli’s never to have been Bar Mitzvah; Queen Elizabeth I watching the trial of Rodrigo Lopez (her famously Jewish doctor); Jewish boxers in the ring from different generations: Daniel Mendoza Vs Harry Mizler – not to mention a rabbi or 7! including Julia Neuberger, Lionel Blue, Miriam Lorie, Joseph Dwek, Louis Jacobs, Joseph Hertz, and Jonathan Sacks – and even a golem warding off Nazi planes during the Blitz by hanging off St Paul’s Cathedral like King Kong!
The colourful kaleidoscope collides every period of London’s Jews together with highlights depicting memories, legends, history, celebrations and stories of the Jews who live, lived and passed through London.
Jewish stories and conversations from the length and breadth of London. From Brian Epstein shepherding the Beatles to find them their first mod suits – a seminal moment in rock and roll fashion history; to Mr. Fish and his eponymous 1960s Mayfair boutique creating both the kipper tie and the man-dress – famously worn by David Bowie and Mick Jagger. The East End Schewzik’s Russian Vapour Baths; film locations from 66 and Leon The Pig Farmer and the construction of the Belz Chasidic synagogue – plus a nod to JW3 with founder Dame Vivien Duffield and CEO Raymond Simonson amongst all the faces!
William Gallinsky, Director of Programming at JW3 says: “London has a diverse Jewish community, with history and stories to match. Now, more than ever, we need to ensure that rich tapestry is shared with the whole of London. What better way to be loud, and proud of our heritage, than by putting it up on the side of our home for the world to see? Leon has captured the depth and breadth of Jewish London in a beautiful artwork that we hope will create countless conversations about multicultural London.”
Get close up with a pair of binoculors, ready to borrow whlist visiting, and stand on JW3’s Lovelock Hostage Bridge, with maps and website to work out who’s who and why!