Walton Life

The Walton Life mural playfully celebrates the town and its heritage, reflecting the ideas, experiences, and identity of the local community.

Local ideas were gathered through a series of community engagement sessions with a wide range of groups. These included tailored workshops with local colleges, alongside more informal visits to community venues across Walton, where a giant ideas board helped spark conversations and encouraged residents to share their experiences and perspectives. The key themes that emerged from these sessions were combined with my own site-specific research to shape the overall design of the mural.

A central theme of the mural is riverside life, highlighting the rich nature and wildlife surrounding the town’s iconic bridge. It also references Walton’s industrial heritage, including HWM’s renowned racing team and the films produced at Walton Studios. Landmark buildings such as Ashley House, Cecil Hepworth Playhouse, The Old Manor House, St Mary’s Church, and Mount Felix are also depicted.

More subtle details are woven throughout the mural, including the kōwhai tree gifted to Walton by the New Zealand High Commission in 1970, recognising the care given to New Zealand soldiers at Mount Felix House during World War I. There is also a small baseball, referencing the story of one of the earliest recorded games of baseball, rumoured to have been played at Ashley Park in 1749.