Artistic fantasy world gets listed status

A flat transformed by an artist over 33 years has been granted Grade II listed status after a campaign to save it.

The unique work by Ron Gittins was discovered in Birkenhead, Wirral after his death in 2019.

The Silverdale Road flat, is the first example of what is called Outsider Art, done by those without conventional training, to be nationally listed.

Historic England said the listing recognised Mr Gittens' "unique artistic achievements and vision".

It was only after his death, at the age of 79, his relatives uncovered the weird and wonderful private world he had made for himself.

His artwork, inspired by ancient Greece and ancient Egypt, included fireplaces in the shape of a lion and a minotaur, Egyptian and Greek murals painted floor to ceiling, and a Roman altar in the kitchen.

The Birkenhead property was put up for auction in 2022 prompting a campaign led by the Saving Ron's Place group, which includes Pulp frontman, Jarvis Cocker.

Sarah Charlesworth from Historic England said: "Ron's Place is testament to the unique artistic achievements and vision of Ron Gittins over four decades.

"The extent to which Ron's creations have inspired action from people in the local area to raise funds to purchase the building and secure the survival of his legacy demonstrates the value of this remarkable project and why it has earned its place on the National Heritage List for England."

Originally campaigners applied for listed status to put off developers but in 2023 an anonymous benefactor stepped in to lend the necessary £335,000 to buy the property, which will now be used for a creative arts programmes to promote art and mental health awareness in Wirral.

Reacting to the listed status, Jarvis Cocker said: "A small number of people on this planet have known for a while that Ron's Place is a very special place - but from now on it is official: Ron's Place has been given listed status!

"The work of one unique gentleman in the north of England has been recognised nationally. Globally even. Hallelujah!!"

Mr Gittins' niece Jan Williams said she was so pleased his "creativity will inspire future generations".

"I believe Ron would be made up and very proud at all the attention he's receiving, and thrilled his work is being recognised and appreciated."

A Historic England spokesman said Mr Gittins' creation was an "exemplar of large-scale Outsider Art in England, a creative phenomenon by artists motivated by their personal visions and often working in a compulsive way, usually with no formal training and outside the influence of the mainstream art world".

The flat will be used for creative arts programmes to promote art and mental health awareness in Wirral.