Mosaic mural at former department store of Ipswich Industrial Co-operative Society

Mosaic mural at the former department store of the Ipswich Industrial Co-operative Society, designed by Gyula Bajó and Endre Hevezi and installed between 1963 and 1964.

MATERIALS: The mural is composed of thousands of coloured mosaic tiles.

PLAN: It is attached to the south elevation of the former department store over Cox Lane.

DESCRIPTION: The mural is rectangular, measures approximately 3m in height and 6m in width, and is composed of thousands of square coloured mosaic tiles (tesserae). The design is semi-abstract, with contrasting shapes and colours depicting a male and a female figure, while graded colours provide depth. The female figure kneels to left of centre and holds an abundant wheatsheaf, most likely depicting Demeter, Greek goddess of the harvest and agriculture. Behind her Hermes lies recumbent, wearing his winged helmet and talaria (winged sandals), and carrying a caduceus (a winged staff intertwined with two snakes copulating). The mural is attached to the south elevation of the former department store of the Ipswich Industrial Co-operative Society, and supported over Cox Lane by two mosaic-covered rectangular piers.