Banksy to Picasso: Reading's Art Scene

15th April 2025

From neon portraits and bold steel sculptures to murals packed with history and heart, Reading has a knack for turning everyday spaces into something inspiring. It’s not just paint on walls, it’s local pride, memory, and imagination on display.

So, in honour of World Art Day, here’s a closer look at some of the incredible artworks that bring Reading to life - all of which are waiting to be discovered!

'Rivers, Ruins & Regency' and 'Royals, Residents & a Rock Festival'

Greeting you just outside Reading Station is a 51-metre-long LED mural - an explosion of colour and local pride. Created by artists Stuart Melrose and Kev Munday and curated by Future City, these two pieces celebrate the town’s most iconic residents and landmarks, from King Henry I to Kate Winslet and the Hexagon Theatre. 

But these murals aren’t just artist visions—they’re community-built. Working with 12 local schools, councillors, and historians, the artists wove in ideas and references drawn directly from the people of Reading. Think of it as a visual time capsule, lighting up the every day with echoes of the past. 

Explore an annotated image of the artwork with all the Reading references here. 

Station Hill's 'Seed'

Bright, bold, and full of life, the Seed sculpture by Rachael Champion and Jonathan Trayte celebrates Reading’s rich history of brickmaking and botany. The striking marigold seed silhouette, with its orange steel plates rising from a terrazzo base, blends industrial heritage with the beauty of nature in a way you’d least expect.

Banksy in Reading: 'Create Escape'

A five-minute stroll from the station will lead you to one of Reading’s most talked-about artworks, Banksy’s 'Create Escape', painted on the wall of the former Reading Prison. 

Depicting an inmate (a nod to Oscar Wilde, who was imprisoned here) escaping down the wall via a paper rope weighted by a typewriter, this piece is clever, poignant, and politically charged. Banksy later confirmed his authorship through a spoof of 'The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross'.

The Bayeux Tapestry at Reading Museum

Step inside Reading Museum, housed in the grand Victorian Town Hall, and you’ll find a surprise: a full-scale replica of the Bayeux Tapestry. Painstakingly hand-embroidered in the 19th century, this 70-metre masterpiece retells the dramatic story of the Norman Conquest. 

It’s detailed, it’s dramatic, and it’s totally worth a visit. 

Paddington Comes Home

Reading has a particularly heartwarming connection to Paddington Bear. Not only is the town home to one of the special statues from the nationwide Paddington Trail, but its beloved creator Michael Bond was born, raised, and schooled right here. 

Find out more about how Reading’s Paddington statue was created here and look out for the marmalade-loving bear in town!

The World Reimagined: Globes at Reading University

Four powerful globes dot the University of Reading’s Whiteknights campus, originally part of The World Reimagined initiative. These artworks explore the legacies of slavery, African diasporic culture, and Britain’s historical role in the transatlantic slave trade. Each globe invites reflection, education, and hope for a more inclusive future. 

Find out more about the globe trail here. 

Neon Icons: 'Heather Small' by David Speed

As part of the Las Estrellas del Camino project, a vibrant mural of Heather Small, the beloved M People vocalist, celebrates her connection to the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage and speaks to themes of spirituality, identity, and transformation. These murals can also be found in France, Portugal, and England along different routes leading to Spain. This mural and the four others along the English St James’ Way, spanning 126km from Reading to Southampton, were painted by David Speed, known for his eye-catching neon style.

Oxford Road Mural by Aaron Lowe

Funded through the High Street Heritage Action Zone, this vibrant piece by Reading-based artist Aaron Lowe brings new life to the bustling Oxford Road area. The mural celebrates the street’s cultural vibrancy, history, and diverse community. Four murals were commissioned for this initiative, and Lowe’s work stands as a proud centrepiece.

A Picasso in Reading? Yes, Really.

Reading Museum is also home to an unexpected gem: Picasso’s 'Still Life with a Watermelon'. Donated by a local resident, this striking 1962 linocut was once hung in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Now it resides right here in Reading - an artistic gift to the town.

The Black History Mural: Legacy in Paint

On the wall of the former Central Club, the Black History Mural is a proud, powerful chronicle of Black excellence. Painted in 1990, it features historical icons like Harriet Tubman, Bob Marley, and Martin Luther King Jr, alongside Reading community heroes like Jeff Alamby. 

This mural is more than art - it’s a statement of resilience and recognition. 

Medieval Archers at St Mary’s Butts 

Ever wondered where the word “butts” in St Mary’s Butts comes from? It refers to archery practice areas, and in medieval times, it was legally required for archers to train regularly. Next time you pass through, see if you can picture arrows flying through the air centuries ago!

Farming in Fabric: British Farming Wall Hanging at the MERL

At the Museum of English Rural Life, explore the towering 1951 wall hanging by Michael O’Connell, celebrating the traditions and technologies of British farming. It’s a post-war vision of agricultural pride - lush, lively, and full of storytelling. 

'Robed Figure' by Dame Elisabeth Frink

Hidden behind Abbot House, near the historic abbey ruins, stands Robed Figure, a bronze sculpture by celebrated British artist Dame Elisabeth Frink. Once conceived as part of her Dorset Martyrs series, the figure seems to hover between both menace and melancholy and justice and grief. 

Its placement is poignant, close to where the last Abbot of Reading was executed in 1539. It's a piece that confronts history head-on. 

Red Kite Soars at Loverock Road

A vivid mural of a Red Kite, a majestic bird native to the area, watches over Loverock Road. Created by Curtis Hylton, known for blending florals and wildlife, the mural is both beautiful and rooted in local nature. 

'Requiem': Spanish Civil War Memorial 

In Forbury Gardens, you’ll find 'Requiem', a solemn 1990 memorial by Eric Stanford honouring Reading residents who died fighting for the Spanish Republic during the Spanish Civil War. Carved in Portland stone, it’s a tribute to international solidarity—and the courage to fight for justice abroad.

Discover art in every corner 

Whether it’s Paddington’s marmalade charm, Banksy’s prison break symbolism, or a neon tribute to a 90s music legend, Reading’s art tells a story of pride, memory, resistance, and identity. This town is more than meets the eye—look closely, and you’ll see it’s a living canvas.

Curious to explore these pieces for yourself? Why not have a look at Reading Museum’s Abbey Quarter Outdoor Art Discovery Map? Or if you're after more art, find out what local exhibitions are taking place in Caversham!