Murals

35 Alan Boyson, Tree of Knowledge, 1962

Status: Listed Grade II
Condition: Good condition
Type: Tiles
Owners: Salford City Council
Location: Former Cromwell Secondary School

Believed to be the only C20 ceramic mural in Salford, the ‘Tree of Knowledge’ mural was designed for the Cromwell Secondary School for girls by Alan Boyson, designer maker and then former lecturer at the School of Ceramics in the College of Art, Wolverhampton. It is an astounding piece of polychromatic work in mixed media designed with a direct association to the building’s main function.  The mural depicts the Tree of Knowledge surrounded by stylised birds – including an owl of wisdom – and flowers in blue and light coloured ceramics. The mural was forwarded for listing by the Tiles and Architectural Ceramics Society (TACS) with support from the Twentieth Century Society, and also local campaigners.