Member-only story
Art & Heritage Review: Time and Place Mural, Hopetown Darlington & St Cuthbert’s Mosaic Marvel
In 2025, Darlington and the surrounding County Durham–Tees Valley region have become a canvas for the S&DR200 Festival, marking 200 years since the Stockton & Darlington Railway’s inauguration. A series of nine vibrant, community-driven murals are strategically placed along the Trail of Discovery. These artworks, backed by Historic England, the Railway Heritage Trust, and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, fuse history, art and local identity in compelling public dialogues.
Time and Place at Darlington Station: Elevating Women & Community
At the heart of this initiative lies Adébayo Bolaji’s “Time and Place”, a bold fusing of portraiture and heritage at the Grade II* listed Darlington Station. Created in collaboration with Darlington’s Young Producers, this mural explores themes of local identity, celebrating both place and the women of the early S&DR. The mural resonates deeply against the backdrop of Darlington’s rail legacy — Queen Victoria herself visited the station in 1849 — yet, regrettably, it currently occupies a narrow corridor. I echo hopes that it will soon be relocated to a more prominent and engaging setting where its narrative can fully unfold amid passing travellers.
