‘The Eagle has landed’: Majestic Columbine building mural revealed

Scaffolding has come down today (Friday 16th August) to reveal the finished Columbine Building mural in East Cowes.

After three months of hard work by Alice Malia and her team of Island-based artists, the removal of scaffolding has revealed striking designs that celebrate the reintroduction of the white tailed-eagle coupled with a vivid history of technological innovation in the area.

Funded by Arts Council England, Forestry England and the Isle of Wight Council, the 12 metre by 65 metre mural serves as a canvas that captures the Isle of Wight’s rich environmental and technological heritage through vivid colours and intricate details, including hidden seagrass meadows of the Solent and skill, workmanship, and invention that made East Cowes the site of three incredible flying machines: the Princess Seaplane, the Black Arrow Rocket, and the hovercraft.

Alice Malia, lead artist said: “Completing this mural in East Cowes has been a remarkable journey, as a team we are so proud to be part of the public art landscape of this historic town.”

“This mural is a celebration of our collective commitment to a sustainable future in our biosphere reserve, and I'm grateful to have contributed artwork to this beautiful intersection of history and progress.”

Stephen Egerton-Read from Forestry England said: “In 2019, we began restoring white-tailed eagles to the south coast of England from our base here on the Isle of Wight.”

“It’s fantastic that these iconic birds are now settling into the landscape and to see the pleasure they bring so many people.”

“We are delighted to know that these impressive birds helped inspire such a stunning mural, and that they are making it back into our cultural heritage.”

Councillor Julie Jones Evans, cabinet member for Economy, Regeneration, Culture and Leisure said: This mural is the result of an immense amount of love and adoration for the island's natural landscape and a respect for the history of technological innovation in the East Cowes area."

"The Isle of Wight Council are thrilled to have worked closely with local artists and businesses to bring this space to life."

"The support from the local community has been wonderful to see and I hope all islanders will come and visit East Cowes to enjoy another beautiful piece of island art."  

Research for the mural’s themes has been generously aided by The White-Tailed Eagle reintroduction project led by Forestry England and the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, East Cowes Heritage Centre, and Wight Aviation Museum, with further support from Wight Shipyard Co and East Cowes Town Council.

Islanders and visitors alike can enjoy the view, which includes a prominent 8-metre-high white-tailed eagle design from across the river Medina when entering or departing East Cowes via Red Funnel ferry services or whilst crossing on the floating Bridge.

Look out for more opportunities to see the mural ‘up close’ at a public exhibition later in the year.

Image copyright: Trudie Wilson (2024).