Booth Hall Passage - Gemma Flowers
Tom
Gemma Flowers is an award-winning designer with a background in graphic design. A graduate of Hereford College of Arts, she found her passion in hand lettering, using quotes, lyrics and words that speak to her personally to produce artwork that resonates with other people.
Working under The Lucky Type, Gemma's hand lettering has been featured in international design magazine IdN, on Scroobius Pip's body for his music video "You Will See Me" and has most recently been published in Slanted Publisher's book "Yearbook of Lettering". After creating The Beefy Boys' blackboard in their flagship Hereford restaurant in 2010, this is Flowers' second public mural.
For her commission on the Grade II-listed Booth Hall, she delved into the history of the site. She found documentation on Thomas Winter, who was landlord of the Booth Hall from 1828. Born in Fownhope, he was Champion bare knuckle boxer of England from 1823 to 1824.
She explains: "In 1814, aged only 19, he fought and defeated another local fighter, Jack Henly, in 11 rounds. The master of ceremonies at this fight asked Tom Winter his name before introducing him, and he replied "Tom Winter". The announcer turned around and said: "Well, from now on it will be Spring". He kept this name until his retirement."
The phrase 'From now on it will be spring' is also a positive statement all on its own, with the idea that once winter has passed, spring will come. The wording is designed to intrigue the public viewing the mural who can interpret the lettering in any way they like. The use of 1920s-style lettering is in reference to the reopening of the Booth Hall in 1921. In keeping with spring, apple blossoms and hops are used around the edge of the phrase, further linking the mural to Hereford.
This artwork is no. 4 on the Hereford Public Art Trail.