MALANGATANA'S MURAL, THE AFRICA CENTRE, LONDON

A crowd of people with painted banners reading save the africa centre

Historic black and white photo of the inside of the Africa Centre showing a large crowd

The Africa Centre at Covent Garden's 38 King Street was gifted to 'the people of Africa' in 1966 by the Catholic Church and was opened by President Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia, becoming a vibrant social, political and cultural meeting centre frequently hosting talks, debates, shows and exhibitions. Following the Africa Centre's relocation, due to the sale of 38 King Street for conversion and refurbishment, a large mural painted by the renowned Mozambican artist and poet Malangatana Ngwenya needed to be removed from the curved stairwell for potential re-instatement in their new venue.

Working as a member of the Hare & Humphreys team, the mural was successfully removed from the wall and is currently in the process of being conserved for re-display.

Africa Centre mural in situ on the curved internal wall of a stairway. Featuring an african womans face on a red background.

Mural after removal of perspex sheeting

Photo of a restoration process of removing a wallpainting from a wall. The surface has been faced up with tissue.

Colleague applying facing support prior to mural's removal from the wall

A mural of an african woman painted on a red back ground on a curved internal staircase. The mural is partially covered with clear perspex.

Mural in situ on wall of curved stairwell prior to removal

Photo of a staircase wall after a wall painting has been removed showing the bare plaster left beneath

Wall face after removal of mural

Backing and packaging sections for transportation

Photo showing a section of wallpainting of an african womans head on a red background, the section is inside a flat wooden crate.