The Hackney Peace Carnival Mural celebrated its 40th anniversary in Dalston’s Curve Garden last Sunday as people paid tribute to the late Ray Walker’s work.
Designed by Walker in 1983 as a symbol of unity and resistance against Cold War tensions, the mural, which depicts a surrealist carnival march of musicians and activists, drew community members to reflect on its legacy through a day of events.
Beginning with a mediation for peace beneath the mural’s colourful revellers on Dalston Lane, the morning was followed by a plaque unveiling and speech from Kate Hudson, vice president of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND).
She emphasised the artwork’s continuing relevance, saying: “In this remarkable mural, that reflects our community and our struggles for peace and dignity forty years ago, we see ourselves, our lives, our struggles today.
“The joy and power expressed in this mural, by the musicians, by the people, in the face of all the odds, then and now, is an inspiration.”
Hudson’s presence was a reminder of the links between Hackney, CND and the mural which centres on strong anti-nuclear themes.
Demonstrators in the painting are shown waving CND banners while a bridge in the background reads Nuclear Free Zone, hearkening back to Dalston Lane’s prominent position in ban-the-bomb marches and Hackney Council’s attempt to stop trains carrying nuclear waste through the borough in the 80s.
The culture lead for Hackney Council, Corinna Antrobus, affirmed the connection between the mural and the area’s activist culture.
“This is what Hackney looks like, this is the Hackney I grew up in and these are the people who reflect it – a diverse group of creatives and activists who believe in standing up for what’s right,” she said.
Hudson and Antrobus were not the only people with personal connections to the mural at the anniversary events, as Walker’s wife Anna, his son Roland and granddaughter Holly were all present.
Anna, 76, stepped in to paint the mural with the couple’s friend Mick Jones after Walker died suddenly at the age of 39 before he could start work on it.
She said that it was important for people to see the vision of unity displayed in their community, as ‘the more awareness there is, whether it’s in painting, or people talking about it on television – the more people strive towards peace in the world and the more it will happen’.
As government arts funding dries up, artistic spaces are left vulnerable to being taken over by developers, especially in lower-income areas like Hackney, where artists cannot afford rising rent costs.
Roland, who works as a photographer in Sydney, corroborated this, saying that the event was denied Arts Council support and nearly had to cancel due to lack of funds.
He also said: “As much as this is a celebration of 40 years, it’s also hoping there’s going to be another 40 years without the propositioning of developers moving in, potentially wanting to demolish the mural for housing or business.”
However, the dedication of Hackney’s community to keep the artwork’s message alive despite hardship is evident, as crowdfunding secured £4,783 for the event to go ahead.
Lively performances by the Chats Arkestra jazz band, a reggae street jamboree and a star-studded afterparty filled the streets, with community entertainers going out of their way match the energy of Walker’s work as part of celebrations for the mural’s 40th anniversary.
Soulful sounds of saxophones and trumpets made it seems as though the mural had come to life.
Alan May, 70, who played at the anniversary and is an original member of the Arkestra that features prominently in the mural, spoke with excitement when asked about what the event meant to him.
“This whole celebration has really been quite an emotional thing for me, we’re playing this music that we used to play back then,” he said.
“I get a lot of joy from music, from playing it and from seeing it and you just have to look at the mural to see the joy that’s up there.
“It’s still got an incredible resonance today. I don’t know a mural anywhere that’s as amazing or vital as that.”
Featured image credit: Megan Norcott
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