Kenneth Barden

Kenneth Barden (1924 – 1988) was an architect, mural designer and painter in the UK. His tiled murals found outside and inside public buildings are examples of post-war public art. He was the principal architect for the builders George Wimpey and Co. Ltd. during part of his career.

Kenneth Barden
Born1924
Huddersfield, England
Died1988
OccupationArchitect
SpouseEdwina Partridge Clarke
Children2
BuildingsSeaward Tower and Harbour Tower, Gosport; murals at Halifax swimming pool
Signature

Artistic career

He is best known for his murals of post-war public art.[1] He had qualified as an architect, becoming an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects. For part of his career he was the principal architect for the builders George. Wimpey and Co Ltd.[2]

In 1955 he was commissioned by the Hertfordshire and Essex Water Board to produce a decorative ceramic mural inside a Pump House in Sawbridgeworth that showed pump mechanisms.[3]

While working for George Wimpey and Co. Ltd, and together with J E Tyrrell, Chief Architectural Assistant to Gosport Borough Council, Barden was responsible for Seaward Tower and Harbour Tower, two sixteen-storey tower blocks built in 1963 on the Esplanade in Gosport. The surfaces of the tower blocks are covered in mosaic murals designed by Barden that rise the full 135 foot height of the buildings.[4] They were controversial initially but are now a tourist attraction. The tiles were produced by Carter and Co of Poole.[5]

Barden was also responsible for two ceramic murals in Halifax swimming pool inspired by British pond life. The building was designed by the borough architects FH Hoyles and JL Berbiers and was opened in 1966.[6] The future of these murals was put at risk when construction of a new sports centre including a swimming pool was proposed for Halifax in 2017.[7] This included demolition, or possible alternative use of the 1966 building. A proposal for the building to be given protected listed building status was rejected in 2020.[8] The building was closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was damaged significantly by cold, including to the pool hall walls and interior tiles, resulting in permanent closure.[9]

Barden also exhibited works in watercolour and oils twice at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, in 1969 and 1972[10] and at Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours exhibitions in the 1970s.[11] One of his paintings is in the collection at Beecroft Art Gallery in Southend-on-Sea, Essex.[12]

Harbour Tower, Gosport, showing the murals by Kenneth Barden

Early and personal life

Barden was brought up in Huddersfield when he attended Crosland Moor School and then Huddersfield College of Art. His father, Harry Barden was a master printer. In 1947 he began study at the Royal College of Art in London, finally becoming an Associate of the Royal College of Art.[2]

He married Edwina Partridge Clarke and they had 2 sons.

References
  1. Pearson, Lynn; Stamper, Paul. "Public Art 1945 - 1995:Introduction to Heritage Assets". Historic England. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  2. Dolman, Bernard (1986). Who's Who in Art (22 ed.). Art Trade Press, Limited.
  3. "C20 Society moves to safeguard Halifax swimming pool and murals". Twentieth Century Society. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  4. "Tile Gazeteer - Hampshire". Tiles and Architectural Ceramics Society. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  5. "carters Tiles". The Virtual Museum of Poole Pottery. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  6. Ing, Will. "Campaigners call for 1960s Halifax pool and murals to be listed". Architects' Journal. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  7. "Halifax leisure centre". Calderdale Council. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  8. "Disappointment over refusal to list Halifax swimming pool and murals". The Twentieth Century Society. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  9. Scargill, Tom. "Halifax Swimming Pool to permanently close due to severe structural deterioration". Halifax Courier. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  10. Hallett, Mark; Turner, Sarah Victoria; Feather, Jessica; Card, Baillie. "The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition: A Chronicle 1769 - 2018". Chronicle210. Paul Mellon Centre. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  11. "Art and Antiques auctions". Roseberys, London. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  12. "Kenneth Barden 1924–1988". ArtUK. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
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