Paolozzi Mosaics

Paolozzi Mosaics

The first time you visit Kingfisher, you can’t help being amazed at the Paolozzi Mosaics. This bright, bold collection of tile murals in Milward Square, each measuring 21' x 10', is a vibrant celebration of our community.

A legendary artist

Unveiled in April 1983, ahead of a visit by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the mosaics were the brainchild of artist Eduardo Paolozzi. This hugely influential artist was one of the founders of the Pop Art movement, and created several notable works in public spaces such as Tottenham Court Road tube station and Birmingham University.

This time, his brief was to design an artwork that commemorated the industrial history of Redditch, especially its place as a centre of needle manufacturing.

A unique vision

Across 12 individual panels, Eduardo sought to create what he called a “multi-evocative metaphor, floating in some cases against woven material, symbolising the uses and results of the needle in its widest sense - a vital tool for the uniting of many substances in both a global and metaphysical sense."

A beautiful piece of craftsmanship

Many historical sources were consulted for the bold colour palette, including the British Museum and the V&A. Meanwhile, the inclusion of modern items such as an astronaut, camera and spaceship, told a story of continued growth alongside a rich history.

Every individual piece was hand-painted and cut with the help of mosaic experts in Spilimbergo, northern Italy; a town with a mosaic-making tradition dating back two centuries. In the end, it took three craftsmen two weeks to instal the work.

The result is a stunning piece of art that amazes guests at Kingfisher to this day. We’re proud to be home of  the Paolozzi Mosaics. And even if you’ve seen them many times before, why not take a minute for a closer look next time you pop in?