Brewhouse Mural

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="11" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="11">   <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="11" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="11">       <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="11" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="11">   <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="11" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="11"></div> <div> This mural was commissioned to add interest and give an impression of space to a small corner of the garden behind the former Brewhouse pub in Gloucester Street, Oxford.</div> <div> Unfortunately, when the pub was taken over by the present owners, who also changed its name, the mural was painted over with magnolia sandtex. Oh well, can't win them all.</div> <div> It measured approximately eleven feet wide by nine high. It was painted in acrylics.</div> <div> I enjoyed this one very much and it was quite a talking point among the regulars for some years before its eventual trajic demise.</div> </td> <td valign="top" width="100%" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Alan Mynall</B></FONT>    |     <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Alan Mynall">home</A></div> <div> <B>The Brewhouse Mural</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="1ee58b20.jpg" border=0 width="600" height="434" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> Here is the completed painting, showing a little of the surroundings to demonstrate the trompe-l'oeil effect, giving an illusion of the archway and apparent continuation of the brickwork and paving into the picture plane.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="1ef58ae0.jpg" border=0 width="600" height="430" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Once into the picture space, I introduce the viewer to a curious world, dominated by an improbable castle, the main tower of which bears an uncanny resemblance to the Oxford Castle.</div> <div> Imagine if someone were to excavate around the existing Oxford Castle to reveal this fantastic world. The familiar tower is only the highest on an impossible castle . . .</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1f8fb580.jpg" border=0 width="507" height="600" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1f0589a0.jpg" border=0 width="600" height="410" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> . . . follow the stairs around the top of the four walls and you will find it is a never-ending staircase (with apologies to M.C.Esher). The blue bridge seems to link the stairs to a central tower, apparently built of childrens' wooden blocks, but this tower is actually on the closest of the four corners of the castle - also quite impossible. Incidentally, the blue bridge bears a suspicious likeness to the cast iron bridges over the Oxford Canal, designed by Thomas Telford over two hundred years ago.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1f258a60.jpg" border=0 width="600" height="422" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> The main feature at 'ground' level is a very extensive hedge maze. I took considerable time ensuring that this maze actually works; it is possible to trace an apparently realistic course between each of the features in the landscape. You can find your way from the main castle entrance all the way to the tea hut on the right and thence to the Ladies' & Gents' Conveniences near the middle. All the other features are accessible through the maze.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1f4babc0.jpg" border=0 width="442" height="700" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">    <IMG SRC="1f3b5bc0.jpg" border=0 width="437" height="700" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> Further off are a large marquee and a stately home. </div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1f158a00.jpg" border=0 width="600" height="416" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> Overhead is a Rescue Airship, ready to go to the assistance of any who find the maze too much. Looking off into the far distance, beyond the river bridge (not unlike the 'Rainbow' Bridge in the University Parks, in Oxford) it becomes apparent that rescue is definitely going to be vital as the huge dam is breaching and the whole of this idyllic scene is very soon to be horribly flooded.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1f5bfbc0.jpg" border=0 width="447" height="700" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">    <IMG SRC="1f6b9bc0.jpg" border=0 width="441" height="700" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> Maybe the pilot of the hot-air balloon, gliding serenely above the scene, can see what is about to happen but, blissfully unaware of this impending disaster, some revellers are having a picnic below him on the banks of the river. More people in a punt approach the party, entirely unconscious of the complete inadequacy of their puny craft. </div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1f758ac0.jpg" border=0 width="600" height="428" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> It seems inevitable that the tranquil scene before us is to be completely obliterated by the approaching tidal wave. Surely the stepping stones will be somewhat redundant.</div> <div> But all may not be lost. I feel sure there might be a wizard, living in the impossible tower, who is about to cast a spell to hold the waters back - maybe he has already done so. You never know with this sort of mural . . .</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>