Borough High Street’s Blue Men: Art, Mystery, and Urban Charm

Borough High Street hosts a distinctive and captivating piece of public art: three cobalt-blue, naked male figures, each clutching a golden musical instrument, dramatically scaling the facade of Maya House at 124-138 Borough High Street. These striking fibreglass sculptures, collectively titled ‘Walls and Trumpets’, were installed in March 2007. They are the creation of the late Israeli artist Ofra Zimbalista (1939-2014), renowned for her vibrant blue sculptural works. The figures themselves were cast from life, a testament to Zimbalista’s artistic process, involving models carefully posed and then covered in plaster-of-Paris to capture their forms.

The primary motivation behind the installation, as stated by building owner Isaac Ella, was to “make a 1970s building look better,” effectively using art to enhance urban aesthetics. This artistic intervention certainly provides an unexpected visual treat, encouraging the often-rushed pedestrians of Borough High Street to pause and look skyward. Furthermore, the artwork’s dazzling blue hue and prominent placement have led to speculation regarding its connection to the historic Blue Maid pub, situated directly across the street. This popular establishment, traditionally painted blue, might have served as an inspiration, prompting the building owners to commission the artwork as a unique visual ‘response’ or complementary feature, enriching the local character.

While the artwork itself is benign, the article subtly points to a practical “risk” for those wishing to appreciate it fully: the exceptionally busy and narrow pavements of Borough High Street mean that a prolonged glance towards the rooftops can be a somewhat risky undertaking for pedestrians navigating the crowds. Despite this minor navigational challenge, ‘Walls and Trumpets’ stands as a memorable and peculiar fixture, successfully transforming an otherwise conventional building into an engaging canvas for public art and contributing a significant, whimsical element to London’s diverse streetscape.

(Source: https://londonist.com/london/art-and-photography/who-are-the-blue-men-of-borough-high-street)