Newport's Chartist Mural (soon to be destroyed)

2007-06-25T06:29:00.001-07:00

The Burghers of Newport, South Wales, plan to restore its historic Dock street from the ravages of earlier planning nightmares. Only trouble is this involves yet another act of municipal vandalism. One of the few good things in 1970s John Frost Square is Kenneth Budd's amazing mural (see film). It's a wonderful piece despite its appalling positioning. But now Newport council wants to destroy it in order to avoid a supposed 250K conservation cost.

letter:

Dear Sir editor

We have had saving Private Ryan !. Save our Ship! Save our Corn exchange
(gone!!!). Art College Which may be refurbished.?? A few mishaps along
the way as such Barrage Money the LG Plant. Bus Station three Rip ups
included.

Saving has been instilled people of this Chartist town to save and recycle
many things The interest in Save our Chartist mural continues to grow it is
pleasing to view letters on this subject.

I had the pleasure to speak to Kenneth Budd while he worked on the Chartist
mural. He would Scrape tile cement from drum of tile cement to a piece of tile.
Nibble it to shape and fix. This is a man with whose hands told the tale of
love this his work even dangers of Caustic in cement Well worn weathered big
hands Talking to me as he as he placed tiles around the now attached main
design panels. We talked of Mar Mosses and primitive naive art. The main panels are held by like an Hilti gun Bolt fired? To hold expanded metal grid pasted on tiles like store bought mosaic; Which could be removed on finding the panel outsides and the border figure tile which were black red pip. Ken would partake of refreshments at the then Conti Ale and café. Near the Fish shop.

My own feeling we have ripped the heart out of our grid based Victorian
town. Primitive Art is not everyone's choice. BUT look at your own child's
drawings "untutored Seen only once in your life time" Many parties hijack the Chartist sacrifice as their own. Where is your support now!. Did you not see what Developers would do.

In fairness I must state I have painted the Chartist RIOTS 30"x 40" oil canvas EXHIBITED AT Newport Gallery. My collection. Feel free to use any pictures!

The South Wales Argus have a few archive pictures of my work from pages printed in editions. I have also put a youtube film of the Mural to protest at this
vandalism..

My website Is at

http://website.lineone.net/~victor-morgan/home1.htm