Dalston peace mural painter dies

The Dalston Lane Peace Mural. Photograph: Hackney Citizen

The artist behind the much loved Hackney Peace Carnival Mural in Dalston Lane has died. Mick Jones, who passed away aged 68, co-created the landmark anti-war artwork in 1985.

The mural was created using a fresco-style effect with German paints designed to stand the test of time.

The son of the late Jack Jones, a legendary trade union leader, Mick also painted a politically charged mural off Tottenham Court Road in central London and another public artwork in Liverpool.

The Peace Carnival Mural was based on a 1983 procession through Hackney by groups calling for nuclear weapons to be banned. It was designed by Ray Walker, a fellow muralist, who passed away midway through the painting of it, leaving Mr Jones to complete the painting with Mr Walker’s widow.

The deceased Mr Walker was even incorporated into the piece as a skeleton playing a saxophone.

Mr Jones, who lived in Highgate, grew up in Coventry, was a longstanding member of the Labour Party. His funeral took place at Honor Oak Crematorium.

Artist Kristina O’Donnell has been involved in efforts by the London Mural Preservation Society to restore one of Mr Jones’s murals in Fitzrovia which has been defaced by graffiti taggers.

Ms O’Donnell, who lives in Stoke Newington and met Mr Jones several times, said: “I know Mick went to Mexico and saw the way the murals there were designed. Whenever I see the Peace Carnival Mural it reminds me of those. I think it looks great. It’s such a landmark.”

She added that the borough was a natural home for such artworks: “It’s got that concentration of artists who are also involved in causes locally and community activists who want to preserve stuff.”