Mystery as former pupil's painting goes walkabout

Appeal to return iconic St Bart's mural to its owner in Australia

NEWBURY solicitor Ian Campbell has turned detective in a bid to trace an iconic mural kept at the town's St Bartholomew's School for decades.

The artwork, pictured, was painted by his friend and fellow pupil Jon Ellis in 1968 and depicts the assassination of US presidential candidate Robert Kennedy earlier that year.

Sixty-year-old Mr Ellis, who now lives in Sydney, Australia, said: “It was painted at St Barts during the holidays. I used to slip in through an open window and was eventually discovered by the headmaster.

“I think, due to its subject matter it attracted alot of attention at the time and the success of the painting helped change my headmaster's opinion of me in a some what unremarkable school career , which resulted in me being accepted into St Martins school of Art In London.

The painting has remained at St Barts ever since. I moved to Australia in 1976 and was happy to know it was in good hands. I made two trips back to the school and gave the school a brief history of the painting.”

Mr Campbell said he discovered another friend, Dave Mundy, who attended a school reunion last year at which memorabilia was made available to former pupils - Mr Ellis' mural among the items.

Mr Mundy said that he asked for the painting but added: “Someone who said they were a friend of Jon's said they would take it and ensure safe delivery to him. But Jon never received it. I really do hope that you are able to get to the bottom of this mystery.”

Mr Ellis said: “If its whereabouts are discovered, my son - who is now just about the age I was when I painted it - hopes that one day it might be able to hang in his own home.”

Mr Campbell said: “I suspect that someone well-meaning has got it and forgotten all about it. I'm hoping that they will see an article in the Newbury Weekly News and that it will jog their memory. It would be great to return it to Jon.”

DO YOU know the iconic painting's whereabouts? If so, contact reporter John Garvey on 01635 564 528 or email john.garvey@newburynews.co.uk