‘King of the Castle’ Mixed-Media Painting
‘King of the Castle’
100 x 100 cm | Mixed Media on deep edged Canvas (Collage, Spray Paint, Acrylic)
‘King of the Castle’ is a love letter to my village, a celebration of its history, eccentric charm, and the generations who have shaped its identity. Inspired by Mountfitchet Castle and its beloved resident, Percy the peacock, this piece captures the richness of English life—where folklore, local traditions, and historical echoes intertwine.
The painting explores the idea of ‘peacocking— in nature and history. Percy, our village mascot/totem animal stands as a flamboyant yet familiar figure, mirroring the bravado of the Norman knights depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry. Along the edges, I’ve woven figures from the tapestry, drawing a playful parallel between medieval masculinity and the swagger and the extravagant beauty found peacocks.
But history is not just about conquerors. In the margin, an Anglo-Saxon woman appears—Edith Swan Neck, King Harold Godwinson’s beloved, known for identifying his body after the Battle of Hastings. Her story lingers in the landscape, a reminder of the quiet resilience that exists alongside power struggles. She owned land and had many connections to this region, another thread in the rich fabric of our village’s past.
The first layers of this painting incorporate fragments of our parish magazine (The Link) —snippets of everyday life, comforting and familiar, peeking through the peacock’s iridescent feathers. These small details ground the piece in the present, reflecting how history and community are built on the everyday moments of ordinary people.
Adding another sprinkle of humour and local flavour. I’ve also woven in an ornamental abstract pattern of chips in the lower section of the painting—an ode to Percy’s habit of patiently waiting outside the village kebabery for his share of chips. This small, affectionate detail ties the grand historical themes back to the everyday quirks of life in our village
Beyond its personal and local symbolism, the peacock itself is steeped in artistic tradition, representing beauty, rebirth, and wealth across centuries. Originating from India over 4,000 years ago as symbols of royalty, these magnificent birds later became iconic in Western decorative arts, illuminated manuscripts, and folk art—imagery that has always fascinated me.
This piece is both a personal tribute and a wider reflection on identity, place, and the layered meanings we inherit. Like a song from The Kinks’ Village Green Preservation Society, it’s about love for the peculiar, the local, and the ever-evolving story of home.
Shipping/delivery - contact me for details.
‘King of the Castle’
100 x 100 cm | Mixed Media on deep edged Canvas (Collage, Spray Paint, Acrylic)
‘King of the Castle’ is a love letter to my village, a celebration of its history, eccentric charm, and the generations who have shaped its identity. Inspired by Mountfitchet Castle and its beloved resident, Percy the peacock, this piece captures the richness of English life—where folklore, local traditions, and historical echoes intertwine.
The painting explores the idea of ‘peacocking— in nature and history. Percy, our village mascot/totem animal stands as a flamboyant yet familiar figure, mirroring the bravado of the Norman knights depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry. Along the edges, I’ve woven figures from the tapestry, drawing a playful parallel between medieval masculinity and the swagger and the extravagant beauty found peacocks.
But history is not just about conquerors. In the margin, an Anglo-Saxon woman appears—Edith Swan Neck, King Harold Godwinson’s beloved, known for identifying his body after the Battle of Hastings. Her story lingers in the landscape, a reminder of the quiet resilience that exists alongside power struggles. She owned land and had many connections to this region, another thread in the rich fabric of our village’s past.
The first layers of this painting incorporate fragments of our parish magazine (The Link) —snippets of everyday life, comforting and familiar, peeking through the peacock’s iridescent feathers. These small details ground the piece in the present, reflecting how history and community are built on the everyday moments of ordinary people.
Adding another sprinkle of humour and local flavour. I’ve also woven in an ornamental abstract pattern of chips in the lower section of the painting—an ode to Percy’s habit of patiently waiting outside the village kebabery for his share of chips. This small, affectionate detail ties the grand historical themes back to the everyday quirks of life in our village
Beyond its personal and local symbolism, the peacock itself is steeped in artistic tradition, representing beauty, rebirth, and wealth across centuries. Originating from India over 4,000 years ago as symbols of royalty, these magnificent birds later became iconic in Western decorative arts, illuminated manuscripts, and folk art—imagery that has always fascinated me.
This piece is both a personal tribute and a wider reflection on identity, place, and the layered meanings we inherit. Like a song from The Kinks’ Village Green Preservation Society, it’s about love for the peculiar, the local, and the ever-evolving story of home.
Shipping/delivery - contact me for details.