Brand new artwork commemorating inspirational people unveiled at Purley station, Croydon
As soon as Covid Restrictions end residents, workers and visitors alike will have sight of new 3 x 2m artworks at Purley station. The art is a collaboration of works by local Purley artist Kevin Zuchowski-Morrison (KZMstudio), Dan Cimmermann and Croydon-based artist Morgan Davy. The project was commissioned by Purley Business Improvement District (BID) and supported by Southern Rail.
The striking pieces provide an eye-catching welcome to train travellers with motivational messages of ‘inspire’ and ‘innovate’.
Artist Kevin Zuchowski-Morrison said: “The works are meant to provide inspiration to people to show that Croydon and Purley are amazing places full of innovative people conducting pioneering feats whether historically or in recent times.
“I really feel Purley is one of the major gateways to Croydon as well as central London from the south and I love the idea that local people, as well as those passing through, can get a feel of what the town is about. The area is full of rich history and so many incredible stories.”
The portraits, which can be found on platform 6 at Purley Station, depict three distinguished people with a historic relevance to Croydon.
- Amy Johnson, the famed and daring female pilot who was the first woman to fly solo from Croydon airport to Sydney in 1930.
- Samuel Coleridge-Taylor the renowned 19th Century composer and conductor who hails from Croydon.
- William Jessop, the exceptional civil engineer was the mastermind behind the Surrey Iron Railway which was the world’s first passenger railway that went through Croydon. The nearby Purley Rotary field is home to part of the original track.
Simon Cripps, CEO at Purley BID: “These artworks are a welcome addition to Purley and to the station for railway users to enjoy. The pieces highlight the remarkable people that have lived here or helped to place Purley on the map over the years. We hope this helps the wider community discover more about our outstanding history and to inspire them for the future.”
Over the coming year Purley station plans to host a series of talks for local schools in the waiting room just next to the paintings. This will give children the chance to find out more about these fascinating individuals and discover how their stories are inspiring and relevant even today.