The King of Kilburn

Above is a fairly new illustration entitled – ‘The King of Kilburn’. The inspiration for this image came from a number of different places.

Firstly, one of the reoccurring themes that pop up in my work is the focus of the Irish that came to London in the 1950’s & 60’s, their treatment, the lives they led and how they managed to survive. Both my parents were part of that mass emigration for work, so it’s a subject that is close to my heart.

I often heard stories from them, and other members of the family that made it across the water, about the poor conditions they both lived and worked in. The ‘King of Kilburn’ is trying to make the statement that even though this character was seen and treated by society at the time as a second class citizen, his roll as a Hot Asphalt Man gave him the opportunity to physically rise above the daily grind and constraints and affords him the opportunity to look over the roof tops while enjoying a cup of tea – making him feel like king of all he surveys.

It also is in stark contrast to the vast majority of people that moved to the cities from rural Ireland. My father would have looked out on forests and the Galtee Mountains as a boy growing up – he than found himself looking over the ever expanding city of London – it must have been a huge shock to the system for many of them.

Another source of inspiration was the song ‘The Hot Asphalt’ – an Irish Folk song, sung by among others Damien Dempsy. ( to check out a live version click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9Jj0F6VWRQ ). This seemed to sum up everything I wanted to say in the Illustration.

I’m currently working on a painted canvas version of this image – I’ll post pics when it’s completed.