Wilfrid René Wood’s Historic Painting Celebrated In New City Centre Mural
Work has started on Peterborough city centre’s latest new mural, this time inspired by the
work of 20th century local artist Wilfrid René Wood.
Commissioned by Peterborough Positive, the city’s Business Improvement District (BID), the
large-scale artwork will be located on Priestgate, near Peterborough Museum and Art
Gallery.
Painted by renowned local street artists Nathan Murdock and Tony Nero, the mural will be a
watercolour-inspired reinterpretation of Wood’s evocative depictions of Priestgate.
Wood was an urban landscape artist who lived in Barnack, and was known for capturing
Peterborough’s changing cityscape in the 1930s and 1940s. Many of his works were
commissioned to document the city’s architecture before redevelopment and are now part
of the Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery’s collection. His artistic talent even caught the
attention of Queen Mary, who purchased several of his watercolours of Venice.
Pep Cipriano, Chief Operating Officer at Peterborough Positive, said: “Art has the power to
connect us with our city’s past while enriching our present surroundings. Wilfrid René
Wood’s work captured Peterborough’s history, and we are excited that Nathan and Tony’s
interpretation will ensure it continues to inspire today.
“I want to give special thanks to local historian June Bull for suggesting the piece by Wood,
which will undoubtedly be an eye-catching mural for residents and visitors to enjoy.”
The mural is the latest in placemaking artwork commissioned by Peterborough Positive who
in recent months have brightened up areas in Cowgate, Midgate and Rivergate.
